Growth mindset and intrapersonal dimensions of social emotional skills: mediating roles of negative automatic thoughts and self-control in elementary students

Introduction Although previous research has linked growth mindset to the intrapersonal dimensions of social emotional skills, little is known about how different mindset types relate to these skills. Moreover, the role of negative automatic thoughts in this relationship among Grade 5 and Grade 6 elementary students remains unclear. Methods This study examined the direct and indirect associations between growth mindset and the intrapersonal dimensions of social emotional skills among fifth- and sixth-grade elementary students. A total of 541 students participated in the study. Results The analysis showed that growth mindset was directly associated with the intrapersonal dimensions of social emotional skills and indirectly linked through negative automatic thoughts and self-control. These associations were stronger in the growth mindset group compared with the indifferent mindset group, indicating different patterns across mindset groups. Discussion These findings shed light on the mechanisms that link growth mindset with intrapersonal social emotional skills in elementary students.