Perspectivas e emoções sobre o futuro: análise dos objetivos e sentimentos de estudantes do ensino médio

Abstract

Young people often experience a range of thoughts and emotions that influence their decisions and life paths. Among these aspects, the ability to envision scenarios and set long-term goals stands out as fundamental to building their life projects.. This ability not only allows them to consider different possibilities and risks, but also helps them set goals and create strategies to achieve them. It is the positive or negative expectation that desired events may come to fruition, feeding an optimistic or not vision of the future. Another essential aspect in the lives of young people is life purpose. This concept refers to a sense of direction that guides their actions and decisions, reflecting their aspirations and personal values. Having a clear purpose can increase motivation and well-being, providing a sense of fulfillment and connection with what really matters. This research aims to understand the intersection between life planning, life purpose and socio-emotional skills in the educational context of high school students. The present study aims to investigate the perceptions, goals and feelings about the future and the dimensions of development and well-being among high school students. This dissertation is structured in a multipaper format with two articles. The first article presents a systematic review of the literature, analyzing how socio-emotional skills influence students' personal and professional perspectives. he research covers publications between 2019 and 2024, resulting in the selection of 6 articles that highlight the relevance of life planning for the formation of resilient and prepared citizens. The second article complements this discussion by exploring the relationship between life purpose and perception of the future among 214 high school students in the state of Goiás. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methods, the research reveals that most students have a positive view of their capabilities and maintain an optimistic outlook regarding the future. Identifying a clear purpose proves crucial for the development of emotional resilience and well-being, preparing young people to face challenges and encouraging them to pursue meaningful goals. Taken together, the articles demonstrate that education must transcend the mere transmission of content, integrating the development of socio-emotional skills and the strengthening of life purpose. In short, young people's thoughts and feelings regarding the future interact in a complex way, influencing their choices and their well-being. Understanding these dynamics is essential to support them in building a more promising and meaningful future.