Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Education

Major

Educational Practice

Date of Defense

4-17-2023

Graduate Advisor

Marvin W. Berkowitz

Committee

Melinda C. Bier

Thomas R. Hoerr

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of secondary gifted students, more specifically their implicit theories of giftedness, how they incorporate giftedness into their sense of identity, and their eudaimonic development. The following four research questions guided the study: (a) What do the narratives of secondary gifted students reveal about their eudaimonic well-being? (b) What do the narratives of secondary gifted students reveal about their implicit theories of giftedness? (c) What do the narratives of secondary gifted students reveal about the extent to which giftedness is a part of their identities? (d) What are the relationships between gifted students’ implicit theories, identity, and eudaimonic well-being?

Fifteen secondary gifted students answered a series of prompts through written responses, which were the basis of a thematic analysis. Four themes about eudaimonia emerged: the effects of academic excellence; meaning and purpose in learning and extracurricular activities; meaningful relationships; and struggle and change. Four themes about students’ beliefs about giftedness emerged: giftedness affects relationships; giftedness affects experience in school; gifted identification and programming; and gifted identity. Observations were made about the differences between implicit theories held by participants whose responses showed greater instances of eudaimonia and those whose responses showed fewer instances of eudaimonia, providing important implications for effectively educating gifted students and supporting their eudaimonic development.

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