Leisure arts participation and social–emotional competence: Resilience and social support as chain mediators

We explored the association between leisure arts participation and social–emotional competence among college students, focusing on the chain mediating roles of psychological resilience and social support. Students (N = 978) at nine universities in Fujian Province, China, completed a survey. Analysis showed there were significant positive correlations between leisure arts participation and psychological resilience, social support, and social–emotional competence. Leisure arts participation was positively associated with social–emotional competence both directly and indirectly through the serial mediators of psychological resilience and social support. That is, higher levels of leisure arts participation were associated with stronger psychological resilience and greater perceived social support, which were, in turn, associated with higher levels of social–emotional competence. This research provides a theoretical basis and practical implications for arts-based initiatives at universities to help students enhance their social–emotional competence and psychological well-being.