27th Annual Student Research Conference
Relation Between Academic Summer Camp Involvement and Self-Concept Growth Among Gifted Adolescents
Anthony J. Roberson
Dr. Jeffrey Vittengl, Faculty Mentor
Given the popularity of gifted programs, it is important to better understand the costs and benefits to children who participate in them. This study examined the relation between self-concept and academic summer camp involvement among gifted adolescents. Self-concepts (SC) are impressions individuals have about themselves in various contexts (e.g., social ability). Students (N = 339; age 12-16 years) attending a residential gifted camp rated their SC in six areas (i.e., general, emotional stability, same- and opposite-sex relationships, verbal, and math) at the beginning and end of their class session. Analyses revealed SC significantly increased in all areas except for math SC (median d = 0.29, range 0.10-0.45). More frequent participation in social activities positively correlated with greater SC growth in several areas (e.g., nonacademic SC and in-class activities: r = .21, p < .001). Students attending residential academies might be encouraged to participate more socially to potentially enhance social-emotional gains.
Keywords: self-concept, gifted, academic summer camp
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 310-1
Location: MG 2001
Time: 1:00