Emotional Intelligence as a Peacebuilding Competency: Educational Insights into the Psychosocial Adaptation of Youth in Thailand’s Conflict-Affected Provinces

Amidst the protracted socio-political volatility of Thailand’s southern border provinces, youth have emerged as pivotal agents of social architecture rather than mere passive observers of conflict. This study investigates Emotional Intelligence (EQ) not merely as a personal trait, but also as a critical psychosocial infrastructure for peace. Adopting a qualitative lens through in-depth interviews and focus groups with youth leaders, the research elucidates how EQ functions as a strategic mechanism for identity negotiation and intergroup reconciliation. The findings delineate five cornerstone competencies: acute self-awareness within structural constraints; emotional regulation as a safety stratagem; collective resilience-driven motivation; multicultural empathy as a catalyst for prejudice reduction; and non-violent communication. These attributes empower youth to undergo a profound transformation from victims of circumstance to proactive peacemakers. By bridging the internal emotional landscape with external social stability, the study argues that fostering emotional maturity is fundamental to communal resilience. From an educational standpoint, the paper advocates for the systemic integration of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) to cultivate collective emotional capital. Such a pedagogical shift—moving toward human security-centered curricula—is essential for fostering sustainable coexistence in multicultural, high-pressure environments. This study situates Emotional Intelligence within the framework of peace education, conceptualizing it as a psychosocial foundation for fostering relational peace, emotional resilience, and sustainable coexistence in conflict-affected contexts.