Understanding Social–Emotional Skills in Childhood and Adolescence: A Network Perspective From Suzhou, China

ABSTRACT Social–emotional skills are multifaceted and interconnected. Identifying core skills and how they interconnect are essential for designing effective educational interventions. Using data from the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) 2019 Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES), comprising 3631 10‐year‐olds and 3611 15‐year‐olds in Suzhou, China, this study applied network analysis to examine the network structure and interconnections among social–emotional skills. The results indicated that cooperation, persistence and optimism were central skills across both age groups. From childhood to adolescence, persistence and energy exhibited higher centrality, while assertiveness and trust remained relatively peripheral. The social–emotional network of adolescents was denser, suggesting a shift in how these skills relate to one another across age groups. Age‐related differences were also observed in specific skill associations, such as a stronger link between cooperation and trust among adolescents. These findings offer insights into the age‐specific structure of social–emotional skills and provide a foundation for culturally and developmentally responsive social–emotional learning programs.