When I am most myself: understanding the role of asynchronous development in gifted adolescent identity development

Graham, David Scott (2023) When I am most myself: understanding the role of asynchronous development in gifted adolescent identity development. Doctoral thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

Identity is a foundational element in a person’s development and can influence all aspects of a person’s life. Although research on adolescent identity development is a growing field, there are opportunities for additional research on this stage of development, with specific focus needed on the role of asynchronous development. This study utilized narrative inquiry to better understand the development of individuals who graduated high school younger than their grade peers. A group of five graduates and five parents of graduates who graduated high school within two months of turning 17 or younger were interviewed to understand their experiences growing up gifted and their transition out of high school. Utilizing a narrative inquiry methodology with elements of phenomenological research, participants shared stories and experiences related to growing up gifted or raising gifted children, with a specific focus on when graduates felt most authentic. By coding the participant narratives, four core themes were identified: passion as a foundation of identity development, freedom and control, peer and adult impact on identity development, and challenges of the first semester of college. A discussion of the implications of these themes and recommendations for further research are provided.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Adolescent; Asynchronous Development; Freedom; Gifted; Identity development; Passion
Subjects:	L Education > LC Special aspects of education
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Education > Educational Leadership
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2026 20:32
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2026 20:32
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6294

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