The comparative study of depression between gifted children and normal children

Abstract

Background: Gifted children have more depression than normal children because of their expectation to be the first. Objective: Compare depression between gifted children and normal children. Material and Method: The subjects, aged 9-12 years from Patai School, were 40 gifted children and 40 normal children. Their depression conditions were evaluated by using CDI score and taking saliva sample for cortisol measurement. Results: The prevalence of depression by CDI score in 40 gifted children was 37.5% and the prevalence of depression by CDI score in normal children was 27.5%. The data was analysed by Chi-square test and the result was not statistical significant (p > 0.05). The mean salivary cortisol level in 39 gifted children was 4.91 nmol/l (SD = 2.12) and the average salivary cortisol level in 38 normal children was 4.14 nmol/l (SD = 1.92). The data was analysed by unpaired t-test and the result was not statistical significant (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between salivary cortisol and CDI score (r = -0.194) Conclusion: Gifted children do not have more depression than normal children. However, a larger sample size should be considered in the future study.