A 15-year phenomenological case study of an exceptional female from age 15 through 30 was focused on exploring the subjective experience of development during adolescence and young adulthood, with attention to how giftedness and context interacted. The main focus became her response to trauma, which was revealed early in the study. Data, including…

Though anchored in cross-cultural comparisons, this study aims to identify the key factors that impacted the talent development of successful dancers from childhood through adulthood. Case studies of eight Finnish and Singaporean ballet and contemporary dancers exemplify the qualities of successful dancers in terms of their career achievements and…

This article acknowledges Kazimierz Dabrowski as a foundational influence and inspiration for our work in supporting the development of highly gifted individuals. Our intention is to help disambiguate the ways this farsighted theory of global human development can be employed in uncommon and atypical profiles in the gifted population. Our focus is…

Individual and cross-case analyses were employed to explore how the pursuit of career and life satisfaction was defined and resolved by 11 elite female scientists. Issues addressed included professional advancement structures in science, the funding climate for research, constraints of significant others' careers, commitment to social change, and…

A study of 89 California Institute of Technology 1943 male graduates revealed that the men were highly productive, gifted individuals who contributed greatly to their scientific fields, maintained stable and satisfying family lives, contributed to their communities, pursued avocations in considerable depth, and found creative means for expressing…

This article describes one gifted child's social and emotional adjustment over time, as an interaction among many factors including his own personality, his family, and his school situation. The article demonstrates the child's difficulties in elementary school adjustment and describes the changes that occurred which enhanced his self-esteem and…

Analyzes historical and contemporary cases where outstanding achievement resulted despite the lack of a strongly supportive environment. It concludes that personal strengths of the individual are the key factor in overcoming deficiencies in environmental support. Models of Feldman, Piirto, Tannenbaum, and Gagne are applied to the development of…

This intergenerational study focused upon obstacles confronting three gifted women in three generations in the same family. Obstacles included providing for basic needs of family, children, work, and others; the role of personal satisfaction as a quality of life; and the ability to accommodate wants, needs, and expectations of others. (Author/CR)

This microethnographic study developed career path profiles of nine Native American Indian women with doctoral degrees from the Pennsylvania State University's American Indian Leadership Program. The study analyzed their decisions to seek the doctorate, graduate school experiences that contributed to their success, and stages of career development…

This study explored the subjective experiences in post-high school development in four gifted individuals considered at risk because of significant underachievement, depression, or family stress. The developmental stories, largely in the subjects' own words, have a dominant theme of conflict with parents with resolution associated with…

Initial findings and case studies of a 30-year follow-up of gifted students and adults suggest that characteristics such as love of one's work, persistence, purpose in life, love of challenge, high energy level, and a sense of mission may be more important in the long run than creative ability, intelligence, and high school achievement. (DB)

Factors that influence precollege decision making were investigated, through case studies of three rural gifted female college students. Participants saw themselves as intelligent, independent, outspoken, and goal-directed, and expected to be involved in dual career and partnership relationships. Career decisions, family support, and time…