SOFT SKILLS AS THE FOUNDATION OF THE MENTAL RESILIENCE OF A FUTURE PROFESSIONAL

Abstract

The article examines soft skills as the foundation of the mental stability of a future specialist in conditions of social instability and increasing psycho-emotional pressure. It is substantiated that modern professional training requires reorientation of the acquisition of exclusively hard skills to the development of universal socio-psychological competencies that ensure adaptability, effective self-regulation and constructive interaction. The purpose of the study is the theoretical and empirical substantiation of the role of soft skills in the formation of the mental stability of student youth. The theoretical basis was formed by approaches to understanding soft skills as an integrative system of competencies, as well as the concepts of resilience, emotional intelligence and self-regulation. The study was carried out on the basis of methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization and systematization of scientific sources. An empirical study was conducted among students (n = 20). It was established that 25 % of respondents have a high level of soft skills, 50 % have an average level, and 25 % have a low level. The most developed are communication skills (65 % medium and high level), while emotional self-regulation is insufficiently formed (30 % high level). Mental resilience indicators show that 20 % of respondents have a high level of stress resilience, 55 % have an average level, and 25 % have a low level. The development of soft skills contributes to increasing psychological resilience, the ability to overcome stress, and maintaining mental health. The need for their systematic integration into the educational process is substantiated. It has been established that the effectiveness of the formation of soft skills largely depends on the educational environment, which should stimulate active cognitive activity, interaction, and reflection. In particular, the use of interactive teaching methods, project activities, case methods, and group forms of work contributes to the development of responsibility, flexibility of thinking, and the ability to make decisions in difficult situations. In the process of such training, not only knowledge is acquired, but also experience in constructive behavior is formed, which is an important factor in the mental resilience of a person