Supporting the Socio-Emotional Needs of Gifted and Creative Students: The Role of School Social Workers: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This study synthesizes evidence on the socio-emotional (SE) needs of gifted and creative students and clarifies the role of school social workers (SSWs) in using targeted SE interventions and creating positive, inclusive school practices to address their needs. This study involves a systematic literature review based on PRISMA guidelines. Four databases (ERIC, PsycINFO, JSTOR, Google Scholar) were searched for empirical studies using keywords like “socio-emotional needs of gifted students,” “school social work,” and “inclusive education.” After applying predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, 26 studies were retained. A standardized form was used to extract data, which was then synthesized thematically. Gifted students have distinctive SE characteristics, such as heightened sensitivity, perfectionism, social isolation, and anxiety, thus jeopardizing their well-being. SSWs employ individual (case management, counseling), group (peer‑integration programs, SEL workshops), and systemic (policy advocacy, community outreach) strategies to support gifted students. Besides, cross-cultural comparisons revealed variability in national support frameworks and highlighted under-researched contexts. Evidence supported SSWs’ essential role in creating responsive, inclusive school environments for gifted learners. However, gaps in long-term outcome data and representation of diverse cultural settings were identified, calling for future empirical and longitudinal research.

Keywords

Gifted and Creative Students - Socio-Emotional Needs - School Social Workers - Inclusive Education - Social and Emotional Interventions- Student Well‑Being

How to Cite

Albargi, S. (2025). Supporting the Socio-Emotional Needs of Gifted and Creative Students: The Role of School Social Workers: A Systematic Review. Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Social Sciences, 17(2), 43-50. https://doi.org/10.54940/ss13769464

License

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