Stressful Life Events Experienced by Academically High-Achieving Females Before the Onset of Disordered Eating

Abstract

Research on gifted and high-achieving students has shown that they experience some sources of stress that are different from those experienced by general students. This qualitative case study investigated the types of stressful life events experienced by academically high-achieving females before the onset of disordered eating in adolescence. Fourteen academically high-achieving females who had recovered from disordered eating were interviewed and completed a written survey. The results revealed that these high-achieving females reported stressful events in five areas before the onset of disordered eating symptoms. All participants reported stress related to academic issues, yet academic stress is rarely mentioned in the literature on stress and eating disorders. These findings have implications for both prevention and treatment of eating disorders among academically high-achieving females.

Keywords:

• academic achievement
• academic stress
• adolescents
• eating disorders
• females
• gifted
• high achievers
• life events
• peer bullying
• qualitative research
• stress
• teacher bullying

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jennifer Krafchek

Jennifer Krafchek, PhD, completed her doctorate at Monash University, Victoria, Australia. Her research has focused on gifted and high-achieving females. She has worked in schools as a high school teacher of psychology and as a coordinator of middle school gifted programs. E-mail: [email protected]

Leonie Kronborg

Leonie Kronborg, PhD, is senior lecturer and coordinator of postgraduate and undergraduate studies in gifted education in the Faculty of Education at Monash University, Victoria, Australia. Her research interests have focused on the education of gifted students, teacher education, talent development, gender, and twice-exceptionality. She is Vice President of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children. E-mail: [email protected]