SUICIDE IDEATION, DEPRESSION, AND STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS AMONG GIFTED ADOLESCENTS

Differences in life-change events, life stress, depression, and suicid e ideation were investigated in a mixed-ethnic sample of gifted (n = 3 4) and nongifted (n = 38) urban junior high school students. Results i ndicated that gifted students reported experiencing significantly fewe r life-change events. The perceived stressfulness of the life-change e vents, levels of depression, and suicide ideation were similar among g ifted and nongifted participants. Suicide ideation among the Entire sa mple was significantly and positively correlated both with level of de pression and with levels of past and recent stress. Recent stress and use of drugs or alcohol significantly predicted suicide ideation. Impl ications for counseling and for future research are discussed.