SOCIAL PERCEPTION OF EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES IN TIMES OF COVID-19

Abstract

This article reflects the social perceptions of young university students about their emotional competencies to face Covid-19, which appeared suddenly, forcing them to enhance emotional resources to face its threats and challenges. The objective of the research was to explore the social perception of emotional competencies to face Covid-19 in students of the Sociocultural Management for Development career at the University of Pinar del Río; revealing the perceptual contents around the characteristics of emotional competences, their forms of expression and the elements that enhance them. A descriptive exploratory research was carried out from a qualitative design, with the use of empirical methods such as the free association of ideas, the in-depth interview and the focus group. The sample consisted of 30 students of Sociocultural Management for Development, selected randomly. The results show a predominance of consensual perceptions on the value of emotional competencies to face Covid-19 from the personal and professional dimension, these being perceived as essential resources for dealing with emergency situations such as Covid-19.