Bright star — black skya phenomenological study of depression as a window into the psyche of the gifted adolescent

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated the lived experience of the depressive state of ten gifted adolescents. In‐depth unstructured interviews were conducted, transcribed and analyzed to reveal the essence, structure and meaning of the depressive state for each of the subjects. The analysis revealed a complex stratum of influences fueling the depressive experience. At the core of the experience is the gifted teen's absolute need for knowledge for communion and for expression. The analysis revealed that the gifted adolescent is at risk for varying degrees of depression when any or all of these needs are stymied. In particular, meeting communion needs — for meaningful spiritual and emotional exchange — proved problematic for the gifted teen who is often isolated because of extraordinary Innate cognitive and emotional complexity. The results from this study have strong implications for specific developmental support and for appropriate therapeutic intervention.