Social-Emotional Competence as Predictor of Student Outcomes in Public Middle Schools of Sibi, Balochistan

Authors

  • Dr. Abdul Ahad Roshan Saeed Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Mir Chakar Khan Rind University (MCKRU), Sibi, Balochistan, Pakistan.
  • Warda Nadeem M.Phil. Education, Mir Chakar Khan Rind University (MCKRU), Sibi, Balochistan, Pakistan.
  • Misbah Safdar SST Science, Department of Education, Sibi, Balochistan, Pakistan.
  • Musarat Qadir Deputy District Officer Education Female, Lehri District, Sevi, Balochistan, Pakistan.
  • Ayesha Malik Aslam M.Phil. Education, Mir Chakar Khan Rind University (MCKRU), Sibi, Balochistan, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62843/jrsr/2026.v.iii.225

Keywords:

Social-Emotional Competence (SEC), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Students Outcomes, Public Middle Schools, Sibi, Balochistan, Pakistan

Abstract

Educators, leaders, and politicians consider “21st-century skills” with greater emphasis on social and emotional competence. There is a broad consensus that schools are responsible for the holistic development of the students by focus on academic as well as on Social and emotional competencies which are considered as a key driver of predicting various outcomes necessary to make them thrive in their academic and professional careers. The Current study revolved around a core purpose to find out the predictive relationship between the Social-Emotional competence and student outcomes including academic achievement, emotional well-being, and social behaviour among the public middle-school students in Sibi, Balochistan, Pakistan. The research design was quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive-correlational. The CASEL framework was used for measuring social and emotional competence while academic achievement, emotional well-being and social behavior are measure through various questions extracted from literature which are suitable for the middle school students. Therefore, validity and reliability were carefully established through piloting by following criteria of consulting experts and statistical internal-consistency estimates. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used for analysis. The SEC significantly predicted all three students’ outcomes academic achievement, social behavior and emotional well-being (β = .65, p < .001), (β = .62, p < .001) and (β = .58, p < .001) respectively indicating SE competence as primary, powerful engine for stated students’ outcomes in public middle schools. The recommendations were made accordingly.

Author Biography

  • Dr. Abdul Ahad Roshan Saeed, Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Mir Chakar Khan Rind University (MCKRU), Sibi, Balochistan, Pakistan.

    Corresponding Author: roshan@mckru.edu.pk

References

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.

Bergin, C., Brass, N., Brockmeier, L., Hung, A., & Rohler, R. (2025). Social-emotional standards for secondary students in the United States: A systematic review and synthesis. Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice, and Policy, 5, Article 100120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sel.2025.100120

Bergin, C., Roos, J., Khumalo, B., Brockmeier, L., Baron, O., & Vogts, A. (2026). Development and validation of the prosocial behavior in school scale. Psychology in the Schools, 63(6), 1001–1019. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.70144

Carpendale, E. J., et al. (2025). Promoting effective transitions: Primary school social–emotional competencies predict secondary school reading and numeracy achievement. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 95(2), 496–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12735

Chen, Y., Chen, Z., Wang, S., Hang, Y., & Guo, J. (2024). How emotion nurtures mentality: The influencing mechanism of social-emotional competency on the mental health of university students. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 26(4), 303–315. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2024.046863

Cipriano, C., Strambler, M. J., Naples, L. H., Ha, C., Kirk, M., Wood, M., Sehgal, K., Zieher, A. K., Eveleigh, A., McCarthy, M., Funaro, M., Ponnock, A., Chow, J. C., & Durlak, J. (2023). The state of evidence for social and emotional learning: A contemporary meta-analysis of universal school-based SEL interventions. Child Development, 94(5), 1181–1204. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13968

Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. (2020). CASEL’s SEL framework: What are the core competence areas and where are they promoted? https://casel.org/casel-sel-framework-11-2020/

Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. (2025). What is the CASEL framework? https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what--is-the-casel-framework/

Collie, R. J., & Ryan, R. M. (2025). Autonomy support and students’ perceived social-emotional competence: Predicting parent-reported social-emotional skills. Social Psychology of Education, 28, Article 116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-025-10079-9

Collie, R. J., et al. (2024). Students’ perceived social-emotional competence: The role of autonomy-support and links with well-being, social-emotional skills, and behaviors. Learning and Instruction, 90, Article 101866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2023.101866

Durlak, J. A., Mahoney, J. L., & Boyle, A. E. (2022). What we know, and what we need to find out about universal, school-based social and emotional learning programs for children and adolescents: A review of meta-analyses and directions for future research. Psychological Bulletin, 148(11–12), 765–782. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000383

Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405–432. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x

Fields, T. L. (2026). The impact of social-emotional learning on student academic achievement and outcomes [Doctoral dissertation, National Louis University]. Digital Commons at National Louis University.

Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. Basic Books.

Greenberg, M. T., Weissberg, R. P., O’Brien, M. U., Zins, J. E., Fredericks, L., Resnik, H., & Elias, M. J. (2003). Enhancing school-based prevention and youth development through coordinated social, emotional, and academic learning. American Psychologist, 58(6–7), 466–474. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.58.6-7.466

Gresham, F. M. (2016). Social skills assessment and intervention for children and youth. Cambridge Journal of Education, 46(3), 319–332. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764X.2016.1195788

Ha, C., McCarthy, M. F., Strambler, M. J., & Cipriano, C. (2026). Disentangling the effects of social and emotional learning programs on student academic achievement across grades 1–12: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 96(5), 1839-1880. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543251367769

Hung, C., Brass, N. R., Brockmeier, L., Bergin, C., Imler, M., Luper, S., et al. (2026). Social and emotional learning programs and students’ prosocial behavior: A meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543261438462

Immordino-Yang, M. H., Darling-Hammond, L., & Krone, C. R. (2019). Nurturing nature: How brain development is inherently social and emotional, and what this means for education. Educational Psychologist, 54(3), 185-204. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2019.1633924

Jennings, P. A., & Greenberg, M. T. (2009). The prosocial classroom: Teacher social and emotional competence in relation to student and classroom outcomes. Review of Educational Research, 79(1), 491–525. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654308325693

Jones, D. E., Greenberg, M., & Crowley, M. (2015). Early social-emotional functioning and public health: The relationship between kindergarten social competence and future wellness. American Journal of Public Health, 105(11), 2283–2290. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302630

Jones, T. M., Fleming, C., & Research and Evaluation Team. (2021). A multilevel model of the association between school climate and racial differences in academic outcomes. Psychology in the Schools, 58(5), 893–912. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22477

Kim, E. K., Allen, J. P., & Jimerson, S. R. (2024). Supporting student social-emotional learning and development. School Psychology Review, 53(3), 201–207. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2024.2346443

Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308

Li, C., & Liu, X. (2026). Development and validation of the social–emotional competence questionnaire for college students. Behavioral Sciences, 16(6), Article 1024. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061024

Liu, J., Kuhfeld, M., & Lee, M. (2025). Noncognitive factors and student long-run success: Comparing the predictive validity of observable academic behaviors and social-emotional skills. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 47(1), 157–183. https://doi.org/10.1177/08959048231209262

Liu, Z., Zhao, M., & Yang, L. (2024). The influence of social-emotional competence on academic achievement of elementary school students: Mechanisms and educational implications. Frontiers of Education in China, 19(4), 355–368. https://doi.org/10.3868/s110-010-024-0019-5

Mahoney, J. L., Weissberg, R. P., Greenberg, M. T., Dusenbury, L., Jagers, R. J., Niemi, K., Schlinger, M., Schlund, J., Shriver, T. P., VanAusdal, K., & Yoder, N. (2021). Systemic social and emotional learning: Promoting educational success for all preschool to high school students. American Psychologist, 76(7), 1128–1142. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000701

Martinez, M. E., & Gomez, V. (2024). The importance of social-emotional learning in schools. Acta Pedagogia Asiana, 3(2), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.53623/apga.v3i2.468

Martín-García, M. I., Cebrián-Martínez, A., López-Parra, E., & González-Sánchez, M. (2026). Constructive thinking as a key competency in initial teacher education: Differences in emotional and cognitive profiles among pre-service teachers. Frontiers in Education, 11, Article 1921428. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2026.1921428

Martinsone, B., Simões, C., Camilleri, L., Conte, E., & Lebre, P. (2025). Students’ socio-emotional skills and academic outcomes after the PROMEHS program: A longitudinal study in two European countries. Behavioral Sciences, 15(11), 1529. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111529

Morin, A. (2011). Self-awareness part 1: Definition, measures, effects, functions, and antecedents. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 5(10), 807–823. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011.00387.x

Nanda, S. B., Satapathy, D., Panda, G., & Pradhan, D. K. (2025). Socio-emotional learning and competencies in 21st-century education: A systematic review of teacher and student perspectives. Discover Education, 4, Article 338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00796-w

Naseem, S., Naseer, N., & Rahim, M. (2024). Testing the CASEL model: Exploring the relationship between social-emotional competencies and academic performance of distance learners. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 2(2), 370–383. https://doi.org/10.59075/3am7tr30

Naz, I., Malik, M., & Irfan, M. (2024). Assessing the effect of social-emotional learning competencies on undergraduate students’ motivation. Contemporary Journal of Social Science Review, 2(4), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.63878/cjssr.v2i04.2562

OECD. (2024). Social and emotional skills for better lives: Findings from the OECD Survey on Social and Emotional Skills 2023. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/35ca7b7c-en

Perrigo, J. L., Karimli, L., Ginther, A., Stanley, L., & Janus, M. (2025). Population health begins in early childhood: Kindergarten EDI school readiness scores as a predictor of sixth-grade academic outcomes in the USA. International Journal of Educational Research, 134, Article 102760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2025.102760

Rush, K., Hata, M., Hon, D., & O’Neil, L. V. (2025). Implementation of transformative SEL standards for preparing future educators: A case study. Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice, and Policy, 5, Article 100115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sel.2025.100115

Santos, A. C., Simões, C., Melo, M. H. S., Santos, M. F., Freitas, I., Branquinho, C., Cefai, C., & Arriaga, P. (2023). A systematic review of the association between social and emotional competencies and student engagement in youth. Educational Research Review, 39, Article 100535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2023.100535

Schonert-Reichl, K. A., Oberle, E., Lawlor, M. S., Abbott, D., Thomson, K., Oberlander, T. F., & Diamond, A. (2015). Enhancing cognitive and social–emotional development through a simple-to-administer mindfulness-based school program for elementary school children: A randomized controlled trial. Developmental Psychology, 51(1), 52–66. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038454

School Education Department, Government of Balochistan. (2024). Balochistan education statistics 2023–24. Performance Management Cell, Policy, Planning and Implementation Unit.

Siddiqui, N., & Gorard, S. (2024). A survey of children’s learning and non-cognitive attitudes in England and Pakistan. Educational Review. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2024.2331121

Sun, J. C.-Y., & Rueda, R. (2012). Situational interest, computer self-efficacy and self-regulation: Their impact on student engagement in distance education. British Journal of Educational Technology, 43(2), 191–204. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2010.01157.x

Taylor, R. D., Oberle, E., Durlak, J. A., & Weissberg, R. P. (2017). Promoting positive youth development through school-based social and emotional learning interventions: A meta-analysis of follow-up effects. Child Development, 88(4), 1156–1171. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12864

Thomas, C. L., Sass, S. M., & Zolkoski, S. M. (2026). Teaching for well-being: The mediating roles of social-emotional competence and academic buoyancy. Behavioral Sciences, 16(5), Article 767. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050767

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

Wang, F., Zeng, L. M., & King, R. B. (2025). Socioeconomic gaps in socio-emotional skills across cultures: The role of school-based interpersonal relationships. Social Psychology of Education, 28, Article 146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-025-10100-1

White, A. M., Akiva, T., Colvin, S., & Li, J. (2022). Integrating social and emotional learning: Creating space for afterschool educator expertise. AERA Open, 8. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584221101546

Wigelsworth, M., Verity, L., Mason, C., Qualter, P., & Humphrey, N. (2022). Social and emotional learning in primary schools: A review of the current state of evidence. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 92(3), 898–924. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12480

Yıldırım, S., & Ersözlü, Z. N. (2013). The relationship between students’ metacognitive awareness and their solutions to similar types of mathematical problems. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 9(4), 411–415. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2013.946a

Younas, M., El-Dakhs, D. A. S., & Jiang, Y. (2025). Exploring emotional learning and its impact on student behavior, well-being, and resilience using structural equation modeling. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 43856. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-28433-4

Zeeshan, M., Nawaz, M. A., & Bibi, H. (2026). Role of Higher Education in Social-Emotional Development Among University Students. Inverge Journal of Social Sciences, 5(1), 333-351.

Zhao, M., Zhuang, W., & Schwieter, J. W. (2026). Social-emotional competence and German academic achievement among Chinese university students: A structural equation modeling study. Frontiers in Psychology, 17, Article 1816321. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1816321

Zhao, Y., & Sang, B. (2025). The effect of social–emotional learning programs on elementary and middle school students’ academic achievement: A meta-analytic review. Behavioral Sciences, 15(11), Article 1527. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111527

Zhou, M., & Ee, J. (2012). Development and validation of the social emotional competence questionnaire (SECQ). International Journal of Emotional Education, 4(2), 27–42. https://doi.org/10.1037/t69172-000

Zins, J. E., & Elias, M. J. (2022). Social and emotional learning: Promoting the development of all students. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 17(2–3), 233–255. https://doi.org/10.1080/10474410701413152

Downloads

Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Saeed, A. A. R., Nadeem, W., Safdar, M., Qadir, M., & Aslam, A. M. (2026). Social-Emotional Competence as Predictor of Student Outcomes in Public Middle Schools of Sibi, Balochistan. Journal of Regional Studies Review, 5(3), 130-144. https://doi.org/10.62843/jrsr/2026.v.iii.225

Similar Articles

31-40 of 191

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.