Social - emotional competence among lower secondary students: evidence from Da Nang, Vietnam

Social-emotional competence plays a crucial role in the holistic development of students, especially at the lower secondary school age – a period of significant psychophysiological changes. This study surveys the current state of social-emotional competence among 332 students at Le Do Secondary School, Da Nang. The study uses the Social-Emotional Competency Questionnaire which comprises five component competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, social interaction, and responsible decision-making. Analysis using SPSS 30.0 software shows that students' social-emotional competence ranges from average to high. Social interaction and social awareness are the highest-ranking competencies, while self-management remains limited. The study also reveals significant differences in social-emotional competence based on gender, grade level, and academic achievement. These results provide educational stakeholders with a basis for developing appropriate educational strategies.