socioemotionell

Socioemotionell, often translated as socioemotional in English, refers to the integrated domain of social and emotional processes that influence how people feel, think, and behave in various situations. The concept is used across psychology, education, and public health to describe how emotions interact with social contexts to shape development and functioning.

The field covers emotional awareness and regulation, empathy and perspective-taking, social cognition, interpersonal skills, prosocial behavior, and decision-making in social situations. Development begins in early childhood and continues throughout life, influenced by caregiver interactions, attachment patterns, peer relationships, cultural norms, and broader environments such as schools and workplaces.

In education and settings that involve children and adolescents, socioemotional competence supports learning, mental health, and academic success. Programs of social-emotional learning (SEL) aim to strengthen components such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. In professional contexts, socioemotional skills relate to teamwork, communication, adaptability, and resilience, contributing to performance and wellbeing.

Research and practice emphasize holistic, ecologically valid approaches to assessment and support. Measuring socioemotionell development often requires multiple informants and contexts, and interpretations must consider cultural differences and disciplinary definitions. Critics note challenges in standardization and the risk of pathologizing or oversimplifying social and emotional processes.

See also: socioemotional development, social-emotional learning, emotional intelligence, social competence.