Predicting students' soft skills: the role of psychological capital, psychological well-being and grade levels
ISSN: 0040-0912
Article publication date: 13 December 2023
Issue publication date: 19 February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Soft skills are essential not only for students but also for employees in any workplace. Some factors influence the development of soft skills in high schools. This study investigates the effect of psychological capital (PsyCap) on soft skills through the role of psychological well-being at different students’ grade levels.
Design/methodology/approach
Three scales (i.e. the Psychological Capital Questionnaire, the Scale of Psychological Well-being and the soft skills assessment) were used on 707 high school students from seven senior high schools. The data were analysed using a moderated-mediation regression technique to reveal the conditional indirect effect of PsyCap on soft skills.
Findings
The results suggested that students' grade levels moderated the indirect effect of PsyCap on soft skills via psychological well-being. Students in higher grades showed a stronger impact of PsyCap on soft skills via psychological well-being.
Research limitations/implications
The psychological states of students should be regarded as one of the most critical aspects of education and career advancement. Schools should assist students in developing their soft skills. Students, regardless of grade level, would begin to occupy their PsyCap, ensure their psychological well-being and finally, engage in soft skills development activities.
Originality/value
This current study has shifted from simply assessing soft skills to investigating some avenues for developing soft skills in various contexts and areas. If the theoretical model is well established, teachers and educators can effectively improve soft skills intervention by understanding the antecedents of soft skills.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Since submission of this article, the following author have updated their affiliation: Hillman Wirawan is at the School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
Citation
Saman, A. and Wirawan, H. (2024), "Predicting students' soft skills: the role of psychological capital, psychological well-being and grade levels", Education + Training, Vol. 66 No. 1, pp. 17-34. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-10-2022-0405
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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