The impact of well-being on self-confidence: The mediating role of soft skills among adolescents

• Published in: Cognitive development Vol. 74; p. 101567
• Main Authors: Silitonga, Lisbeth Laora, Maruli, Sahat, Simanjuntak, Haholongan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.04.2025
• Subjects: Adolescents’ development; Self-confidence; Soft skills; Vocational school; Well-being; Self-confidence; Vocational school; Well-being; Soft skills; Adolescents’ development
• ISSN: 0885-2014
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2025.101567

This study explores the relationships between well-being, soft skills, and self-confidence among adolescents, with a focus on the mediating role of soft skills. A total of 200 vocational high school students in Indonesia were recruited from a school selected for its commitment to educational innovation and diverse student population. Participants were voluntarily enrolled based on specific inclusion criteria, and informed consent was obtained prior to participation. Data were collected using the EPOCH Measure of Adolescent Well-being, a reflection instrument for soft skills, and a novel measure of academic self-confidence. Results indicated that higher well-being is associated with enhanced soft skills and self-confidence, with perseverance emerging as a key factor. Structural equation modeling revealed that soft skills, particularly time management and analytical thinking, partially mediated the relationship between well-being and self-confidence. These findings underscore the importance of integrating well-being and soft skills development into educational curricula to support adolescent growth. Further research is needed to explore additional influencing factors and validate these findings across diverse populations. •Explores how well-being influences adolescents' self-confidence development.•Identifies generic skills as a key mediator in the well-being–self-confidence link.•Provides evidence from a survey-based study involving adolescents.•Offers insights into strategies for fostering self-confidence via skill enhancement.•Contributes to the literature on youth development and educational practices.