Resilient characteristics in high-achieving women.

Abstract

People who do not succumb to adversity but excel and achieve are said to be resilient. Individuals can become competent and successful despite having experienced adversity. Resilient protective characteristics may be classified into the following categories: internal psychological characteristics, environmental factors and social cultural factors. The internal protective resilient characteristics of populations who have overcome adversity are numerous. However, research on the internal protective resilient characteristics of the population of gifted females is limited. Moreover, there is a lack of literature focusing on one population, gifted females, and what internal resilient protective factors they utilize to build successful lives. This study attempts to provide insight regarding the questions: (1) What behavioral and psychological internal resilient protective factors do gifted women use to overcome challenges; and (2) Do they use the same internal resilient protective factors that other populations use? This study explores the internal resilient characteristics of women currently enrolled in graduate school who have received an academic scholarship. A content-analysis of the emerging resilient characteristics and a content-analysis of the occurrence or nonoccurrence of 18 specific resilient characteristics is conducted. Recommendations are made to guide educators in nurturing resilient characteristics in gifted female students.