Soft skills in secondary education: Scientific evidence of their contribution to holistic development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55560/arete.2026.24.12.5Keywords:
Soft skills, secondary education, effective communication, collaborative work, critical and creative thinkingAbstract
This systematic review aimed to analyze scientific literature published between 2020 and 2025 regarding the role of soft skills in the holistic development of secondary education students. Specifically, three dimensions were examined: effective communication, collaborative work, and critical and creative thinking. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, involving the search, selection, and evaluation of scientific studies from the SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, and EBSCO databases. Consolidated findings from 39 scientific articles reveal that these competencies have established themselves as fundamental pillars for the academic and professional success, as well as the socio-emotional well-being, of secondary-level adolescents in the 21st century. A clear trend emerges toward the holistic integration of these soft skills, the continuous fostering of human interaction, the strategic and transformative use of technology, and pedagogical designs integrated into curricula. Key limitations identified in the review include the exclusive inclusion of open-access scientific articles, the restriction to publications in Spanish and English, and the methodological and contextual heterogeneity of the analyzed studies. Despite these advances, future research is needed—specifically studies that are more robust, encompass greater contextual and socioeconomic diversity, and involve the development of objective assessment tools.
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