No abstract

Participation in gifted and talented (G&T) programs is predicted to have negative effects on academic—but not nonacademic—self-concept on the basis of social comparison theory and Marsh’s big-fish-little-pond effect (BFLPE). In two studies, students in G&T programs experienced systematic declines in three components of academic self-concept (Reading, Math, School) over time and in relation to matched comparison students in regular mixed ability classrooms, but not in four components of nonacademic self-concept (Physical, Appearance, Peer Relations, Parent Relations). In both studies, these results were consistent over gender, age, and initial ability level. Selection criteria, program strategies, and advice to parents are proposed to counteract this BFLPE and to maximize the benefits associated with G&T programs.

A degree of controversy and debate exists about the best educational experiences to fulfil the potential of gifted students. Special class placement can give good educational experiences and opportunities for gifted students. However, Marsh and Parker (1984) described the big-fish-little-pond effect (BFLPE) where equally able students have lower academic self-concepts in high-ability schools than in low-ability schools. Self-concept is an important factor in determining academic achievement. The place of motivation in academic achievement is well documented (Ames, 1992; Ames & Archer, 1988; Blumenfeld, 1992; Dweck, 1986) and determined by mastery or performance-goal orientation (Dweck, 1986). The motivation will ultimately have a bearing on both achievement and self-concept. The purpose of this research was to determine the interrelationship of self-concept, motivation and achievement in gifted primary school children in a variety of groupings from a parent's perspective.

Objective The primary objective of this study was to provide an initial test of the efficacy of acceptance‐based behavioural therapy in reducing pathological worry and anxious symptomology in children. A secondary objective was to examine the benefit of supplementing standard acceptance‐based behavioural therapy with a multisensory learning aide (MSA). The MSA provides kinaesthetic, tactile, and visual stimuli to facilitate children's understanding of acceptance‐based behavioural therapy principles and the development of acceptance‐ and mindfulness‐based skills. Method Two variations of an acceptance‐based behavioural therapy treatment were administered over 8 weeks to children aged 7–11 years: a standard acceptance‐based behavioural therapy treatment condition, and a condition that supplemented acceptance‐based behavioural therapy with a novel MSA. Anxious symptomology and pathological worry were measured at pre‐treatment and post‐treatment. A program evaluation questionnaire was also administered to parents at post‐treatment. Results Results demonstrated that children in the acceptance‐based behavioural therapy with a novel MSA condition reported significant reductions in worry and anxious symptomology at post‐treatment. Furthermore, parents in this condition reported the model to be effective in helping their children understand concepts of acceptance, defusion, and meta‐cognition. Conclusions The present study found that acceptance‐based behavioural therapy, adapted for children and supplemented with a novel multisensory aide designed specifically to enhance treatment, led to reductions in child‐reported worry and parent‐reported anxiety. Parental feedback suggested that the multisensory aide was highly acceptable, and that it may have facilitated children's understanding of abstract therapeutic principles.

Coping with psychological suffering after combat deployment has been identified across a diverse range of wars and countries as having the potential to negatively influence the long-term wellbeing of female partners of veterans. The aim of the study was to explore whether romantic partners of veterans (N = 97) suffered higher levels of psychological distress and destructive relationship conflict, lower relationship satisfaction and perceived social support when compared to female Australians in the civilian population (N = 87). Australian participants completed an anonymous online survey, and overall means were calculated for each group and compared using independent samples t tests. Results from the study indicated strong support for all research hypotheses in the expected directions. Research findings suggest that Australian females romantically involved with Afghanistan War veterans are more vulnerable to experiencing relationship dysfunction and are at an increased risk of impaired psychological health in the Australian population.