The Comparative Study of Depression between Gifted Children and Normal Children
Wanpen Turakitwanakan MD*, Somrudee Saiyudthong PhD**, Surangrut Srisurapanon PhD***, Ausanee Anurutwong PhD****
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand **** Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
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.
Keywords : Depression, Gifted children, Cortisol, Children’s Depression Inventory, CDI
