Gifted Children's Health Locus of Control: Implications for School Health Curriculum and Instruction

Abstract An extensive review of the literature failed to provide any study that examined gifted children's health locus of control and its implications for school health curricula and instruction. Using the Parcel-Meyer Children's Health Locus of Control Scale, 178 gifted children from a rural Texas county were studied to determine differences in their health locus of control. Results proved significant (p. >0001), and provided evidence to support the postulate that gifted children, in general, may be less prone to adolescent health-risk behaviors than non-gifted children. Results of this study also provided a rationale for modifying both school health curricula and instructional practices for gifted children. Further, results of this study provided a rationale for continued health-related research with gifted populations worldwide.