The Duran Model: a New Psychological View on Giftedness

Balanced research and practice

After years of scientific research, we know that gifted individuals struggle to fit in with their environment. Feeling different and experiencing a ‘mismatch’ with the world they live in, can greatly impact their mental wellbeing. In our earlier version of the Model of Duran and other popular models about giftedness there has been a focus on framing, ‘what is giftedness’? In our new model, we added the most important factors concerning the wellbeing of gifted individuals and how they interact. The main objective for this model is to give practitioners, teachers and parents insight in important personal and contextual aspects that impact the wellbeing of gifted individuals. Assessing which factors are causing and exacerbating the problems gifted individuals are experiencing, gives the practitioner tools to tailor therapy to the need of the individual. Assessing which aspects can serve as protective factors could motivate and strengthen an individual to accomplish change.