Citation

Hyatt L. Journal for the Education of the Gifted 2010; 33(4): 514-535.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010)

DOI

10.1177/016235321003300404

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this case study focusing on a gifted adolescent female who took her life at the age of 18 using a firearm, the researcher investigated the personal, environmental, and cultural variables that may have contributed to her suicide. Data were collected from interviews, documents, and other artifacts, including a videotape that was a compilation of events throughout the subject's life. This was a psychological autopsy in which the thoughts, feelings, and actions of a brilliant yet tormented young female were studied after her death by suicide. The purpose was to determine what factors led her to end her pain by choosing death over life. Implications from the findings include the need for changes in the education of gifted children and adolescents. In addition, parents, teachers, and counselors need more in-depth information about the characteristics of gifted students and about the warning signs for suicide so that suicide can be prevented Copyright © 2010 Prufrock Press Inc.

Language: en