Identification of Psychological Predictors of the Formation of Digital Competencies

The pace of digital transformation sets vectors for changes around the world. With the digital technologies spread in various layers of life, there is a keen interest in the preparation of a large number of human resources that ensure the new economy functioning. The purpose of the article is to identify possible psychological predictors that affect the pronounced development of students' digital competencies. The study participants were 255 students. It was assumed that the psychobiological properties of speed can act as predictors and influence the level of digital competencies formation. At the first stage, respondents with high (N = 58) and low (N = 16) values of tempo and social speed were selected in the sample. The results of the comparative analysis showed significant differences in indicators and scales: ergicity, social ergicity, plasticity, social plasticity, speed, social pace, social emotionality, General index of Meaningful and orientations result, locus of control-Life. Differences in the degree of digital competencies development in the compared subgroups are not significant. At the second stage, respondents (N = 47) with high values of digital competencies were selected. Relationships between the index of digital competencies, temperament properties, indicators of meaningful life orientations and coping behavior were revealed. The conclusions show that there are significant correlations between digital competencies index and Locus of control-Self indicators, scale—Anxiety; Knowledge and Motivation Components and coping scale—Problem solving; Communication Sphere and scale—Withdrawal; Technosphere and the Social ergicity temperament property. The model of digital competencies psychological predictors is visualized.