Giftedness, Trauma, and Development: A Qualitative, Longitudinal Case Study. (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peterson, Jean Sunde
• Other Names: Robins Jennifer H. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal for the education of the gifted. Volume 37:Number 4(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 295
• Page End: 318
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: case study -- gifted -- development -- trauma -- longitudinal -- qualitative; Gifted children -- Education -- United States -- Periodicals; 371.9505
• DOI: 10.1177/0162353214552564
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0162-3532

Abstract

A qualitative, longitudinal, phenomenological case study explored how a gifted female experienced various life events and aspects of development during adolescence and young adulthood (ages 15–30 years), particularly as related to multiple traumatic experiences, which were revealed late in the first year of the study. Additional experiences, well into young adulthood, appear to have been precipitated by posttrauma phenomena, among them a sense of powerlessness, a need for control, extreme and confusing emotions and behaviors, disordered eating, and sensitivity to others' responses. The control concern was manifested in a pervasive "sense of urgency, " which contributed to decisions that had particular impact on her development. Special attention is given to the intersection of giftedness and adversity, with reference to characteristics associated with giftedness. Method and findings begin to fill multiple gaps in the giftedness literature, but findings are generally supported by existing literature related to trauma and protective factors.