Citation

Sedillo PJ. Gifted Child Today 2015; 38(2): 114-120.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015)

DOI

10.1177/1076217514568557

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Little empirical research has been conducted regarding suicide and suicidal ideation about gay gifted adolescents, so most of what is presented in the literature is based on theories and assumptions. One key assumption was that the psychological challenges of gay gifted youth stemming from sexual identity and giftedness contribute to suicidal ideation and that educators need to become more aware of this issue. Specific challenges of gay gifted youth in the literature included hypersensitivity and perfectionism, as well as depression and isolation. Countering these challenges was the theme of resiliency, which gifted youth develop using abstract reasoning, while nongifted youth favor concrete reasoning. Difficulties in identifying this unique population reduce the ability of psychotherapists, researchers, and counselors to study suicide within this group. The limited amount of peer-reviewed literature and other published material regarding suicide and suicidal ideation for gay gifted youth underscores the need for further research on this topic. © 2015 The Author(s).

Language: en

Keywords

suicide; suicidal ideation; literature review; gay gifted; GLBT gifted