Gifted and Non-Gifted Lebanese Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in self-concept, self-esteem, and depression among gifted (n=68) and non-gifted (n=174) adolescents in Lebanon. Participants were 242 adolescents (110 males and 132 females), with a mean age of 13.9 years. Four measures were used: DISCOVER assessment, Piers-Harris 2 self-concept scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (RSE), and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). The 2-way MANOVAs yielded significant main effects for gender and student type (gifted vs. non-gifted). Further univariate analyses showed that participants had mostly average levels of global self-concept and self-esteem, and low levels of depressive symptoms. Also, gifted participants had significantly higher scores on RSE, global self-concept, and academic self-concept. Males had significantly higher scores on Physical Image, Happiness and Satisfaction, and Freedom from Anxiety subscales, whereas girls had significantly higher scores on BDI. Future research is needed on larger samples of Lebanese youth to confirm these results.