The comparative study of depression between gifted children and normal children
Turakitwanakan, W.; Saiyudthong, S.; Srisurapanon, S.; Anurutwong, A.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 93(Suppl 2): S9-14
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 21299078 Document Number: 15285
Gifted children have more depression than normal children because of their expectation to be the first. Compare depression between gifted children and normal children. 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. 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). Gifted children do not have more depression than normal children. However, a larger sample size should be considered in the future study.