Parents of children and adolescents who have or are suspected of having far above-average intelligence turn to the " Counseling Center for Giftedness" for advice on a wide range of topics. Questions relating to the topic of "intelligence" take a central role. For example, they relate to information on intelligence diagnostics, difficulties experienced by children and adolescents due to cognitive underachievement in daycare centers or schools, as well as options for school support. The psychological well-being of their children is the background to other topics parents seek advice on. In this context, parents also report internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems. High intelligence in itself is not a risk indicator for emotional instability and mental disorders (Williams et al., 2022). Nevertheless, a number of factors can have a negative impact on the social and emotional well-being of gifted children. These include asynchronous developmental trajectories, highly gifted children and perfectionism (Reinders, 2014).
Counseling sessions aim to support parents in accompanying their children by imparting knowledge. The counseling concerns of parents who contact the counseling center are recorded as part of an exploratory study. The results of this study will serve as a basis for better adapting the counseling services of the counseling center to demand.
References
Reinders, H. (2014). Soziale und emotionale Entwicklung Hochbegabter. In M. Stamm (Hrsg.), Handbuch Talententwicklung (S. 217-226). Huber.
Williams, C.M., Peyre, H., Labouret, G., et al. (2023). High intelligence is not associated with a greater propensity for mental health disorders. European Psychiatry. 2023;66(1):e3. doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2343