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Self-esteem, optimism and academic achievement of gifted adolescent females in Singapore
Author
Tan, Yoke Leng
Supervisor
Neihart, Maureen
Abstract
This quantitative study seeks to contribute an Asian perspective to the body of knowledge in the field of gifted girls by identifying some clear trends in the gifted Asian girl’s development that will guide our understanding of the differential outcomes we see among them in later adulthood. Patterns in self-esteem, optimism and academic achievement were investigated in a sample of 401 gifted adolescent girls who were enrolled in a single-sex school for the gifted. Self-esteem was measured using the Cooper-smith Self-Esteem Inventory while optimism was measured using The Youth Life Orientation Test (YLOT). Significantly positive results were also seen in optimism from the YLOT. Self-esteem and optimism were found to be significant predictive factors of academic achievements. The effect of optimism was not shown to be a negotiating factor between self-esteem and academic achievement. Consistent to published reports of studies done in the western context, gifted girls in Singapore are generally optimistic in nature, with values of optimism being significantly higher that the pessimism scores. The findings reveal that the psychological well-being of the gifted girls sampled appears to be in a good state and indicates that there are socio-affective benefits in grouping gifted girls in an all-girls’ educational environment that serves to cater to their gifts and talents. This study also paves new ground in asserting that educational and social context plays a significant role in lives of gifted adolescent girls.
Date Issued
2011
Call Number
LC3998.S55 Tan
Date Submitted
2011