Labeling Gifted Youngsters: Long-term impact on Families

Abstract

This stxa r"n"ihe term effects of the "gifted e families in this study had at least one child identified as gifted a minimum of five years prior to the study. The results of the study show that the long-term effects of the gifted label are in part a reverse of the reported immediate effects. Research on immediate effects indicates difficulties for non-labeled siblings. Long-term effects indicate that siblings "came to terms" with the label and did not seem to harbor negative feelings or recollections. While the families reported an overall positive attitude towards the gifted member, it was the gifted member who seemed less certain of the positive feelings of siblings and parents regarding the label.