Social and Emotional Problems Faced By Gifted Individuals

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify the psychologist' opinions on social and emotional problems faced by gifted individuals. The research was designed with in qualitative research approach. The study group of the research consisted of 10 psychologists working at public hospitals and private clinics in Northern Cyprus. A semi-structured interview form was used as the data collection tool which consisted of directives on how to fill in the form, six open-ended questions and a semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher. The data obtained from interview forms were transferred to NVivo 11 qualitative data analysis programme through computer and analyzed with content analysis. According to results of the research, it was concluded that gifted individuals experienced social problems with their environment such as unconformity, loneliness, hardships in peer relations and exclusions; such emotional problems as perfectionism, mood and anxiety disorders, loneliness, introversion. In addition, differences were detected between the application approaches of counselees with and without gift, and it was found out that there were extensive approaches suitable for individual in terms of individual hardship areas. Another finding was that the counselling differences of counselees with and without gift were related to mood disorders, support and approval; as regards problems faced in counselling process, hardships in opinions, lack of a suitable and guiding institution, and the intensiveness and uncontrollability of control and impulse mechanisms.