Creativity, emotional intelligence and coping style in intellectually gifted adults

Abstract

Although recently there has been a growing interest in gifted adults, the differences between intellectually gifted and nongifted adults in creativity, emotional intelligence and coping style have not yet been deeply studied. In this study, 23 intellectually gifted and 18 intellectually nongifted adults completed the Alternative Uses Task (AUT), the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i), and the Miller Behavioural Style Scale (MBSS). Results indicated that intellectually gifted adults scored higher in the AUT and the blunting subscale of the MBSS than intellectually nongifted adults. However, they showed comparable scores on the EQ-i and the monitoring subscale of the MBSS. This study investigates the characteristics of intellectually gifted adults to adequately support their needs.