Este proyecto de investigación tiene como foco el estudio de la competencia para la gestión de la vida social de los niños y niñas en edad escolar obligatoria. La investigación trabajará desde tres ámbitos: a) comprensión y medición de las dimensiones del constructo "gestión de la vida social"-; b) exploración de los factores individuales y contextuales que influyen en la competencia para gestionar las relaciones entre iguales -físicas, virtuales y de pareja- ; c) evaluación de los riesgos derivados de una mala gestión de la vida social (bullying, cyberbullying y dating violence entre adolescentes, entre otros).

Los estudios se realizarán sobre una muestra representativa de escolares andaluces, de entre 10 y 16 años. El desarrollo de este proyecto de investigación permitirá seguir avanzando en la comprensión de estos fenómenos y en el desarrollo de programas de intervención que permitan su prevención y paliación. La detección de conductas de bullying y cyberbullying se convierte en una tarea prioritaria para garantizar el bienestar social de los escolares andaluces y prevenir su implicación en problemas de violencia interpersonal.

ABSTRACT

Based on the contributions highlighted in previous researches, it is emphasized that the development of social competence is at the base of interpersonal relations and convivencia (coexistence). The school is, therefore, one of the social contexts where interpersonal relations are established with greater preponderance between peers. It directly affect the psycho-evolutionary development of children.

Not only good interpersonal relations benefit school convivencia (coexistence), but also are positive for conflict resolution and reduce the risk of being involved in bullying and cyberbullying. Due to this, the present research project focuses on the study of competence for the management of the social life of children of compulsory school age. The research will work from three areas: a) understanding and measuring the dimensions of the construct ‘management of social life’; b) exploration of the individual and contextual factors that influence on the competence to manage relationships between peers - physical, virtual and romantic; c) assessment of the risks arising from poor management of social life (bullying, cyberbullying and dating violence among adolescents, among others).

The studies will be carried out on a representative sample of Andalusian students aged between 10 and 16  who are studying in public and private schools (composed by 3.000 participants). The development of this research project will allow us to continue advancing in the understanding of these phenomena and in the development of intervention programmes that allow their prevention and palliation. The detection of bullying and cyberbullying behaviour becomes a priority task in order to guarantee the social wellbeing of Andalusian students and prevent their involvement in interpersonal violence problems.