An Exploratory Study of Self Concepts and Depression among the Gifted

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of gifted programs on self-concepts and depressive symptoms in gifted and talented program participants. The eighty-two fifth and sixth grade participants included students in special full-time classes for the gifted, students in pullout classes for the gifted, and students in regular classes. Instruments included two self-concept measures—the ME Scale and the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale—and one depression measure, the Reynolds' Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS). Sixth grade gifted groups (pullout and selfcontained) scored higher on measures of self-concept than nongifted groups. No other main effects were found for either self-concept measure or for the depression scale (RADS).

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