Gifted adults who overcame academic underachievement in adolescence to succeed: a multiple case study

Abstract

Through four cases, this qualitative research study focuses on understanding how gifted adults overcame academic underachievement during their adolescence to become successful professionals. Their experiences help further our understanding of gifted underachievement and ways to reverse it. Factors associated with this problem include the home, school, peer environment and self. Findings suggest that participating in extracurricular activities, forming positive relationship with teachers, engaging in a meaningful curriculum, receiving counseling and parental support, can help reverse this problem. Consequently, students overcome developmental challenges to accept their identities and find lifelong success.