PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES, COPING MECHANISMS, AND COUNSELLING NEEDS OF GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY

The purpose of this research was to establish baseline psycho-socio-emotional profiles of Malaysian gifted and talented students. Specifically, the research - which took place in a unique educational environment of an inaugural school holiday camp for Malaysian gifted and talented students in 2009 - tried to explore the psychological issues, the coping mechanisms, and the counselling needs shared by the students. In general, the study found that psychological issues faced by local gifted and talented students at school were quite common as being experienced by their peers in other parts of the world. The study also found that counseling needs of local gifted and talented students were centered on career and academic guidance dimensions, whereas the needs were obviously apparent among female students in comparison to male students. Significantly, the findings of this study create the naissance profile which could initiate the development of local counselling framework for the gifted and talented students.