Navigating Psychological Vulnerabilities: A Qualitative Exploration of Gifted and Talented Students’ and School Counsellors’ Perspectives in Malaysia

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the psychological vulnerabilities of gifted and talented students in Malaysia. Within a constructivist paradigm, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten gifted and talented students (IQ >130) and five school counsellors. Reflexive thematic analysis generated six themes organised into three interrelated clusters: cognitive–emotional vulnerabilities, emotional distress, and social and behavioural experiences. The themes were maladaptive perfectionism, excessive overthinking, emotional overexcitability, academic-related anxiety, depressive tendencies, and social isolation and emotional withdrawal. These findings were synthesised into an interpretive thematic map representing co-occurring and perceived relationships without implying causal or temporal ordering. The analysis also highlighted differences between counsellors’ professional interpretations and students’ self-described experiences, and meaningful within-theme variation in how experiences were managed. The findings may sensitise school counsellors to patterns warranting further exploration during case conceptualisation and supportive counselling, while emphasising the value of holistic, strength-based, and contextually responsive support within a non-Western, collectivist educational context.