Keywords
small groups
gifted adolescents
subjective well-being
psychological resources
socio-psychological adaptation
self-actualization
anxiety
How to Cite
Abstract
Purpose. To examine the theoretical and methodological foundations of psychological counselling in small groups as a factor in the development of psychological resources and subjective well-being among gifted adolescents, as well as to determine its potential for promoting socio-psychological adaptation, reducing anxiety, and fostering self-actualization in the context of contemporary societal challenges.
Methods. The study employed a set of general theoretical research methods, including theoretical analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization, and modelling, together with an integrative analysis of contemporary scholarly publications addressing psychological counselling, group interaction, personal psychological resources, subjective well-being, and the psychology of giftedness.
Results. The theoretical analysis enabled the systematization of the principal psychological determinants of subjective well-being among gifted adolescents, including socio-psychological adaptation, emotional orientation, self-actualization, and anxiety levels. The findings indicate that anxiety may represent one of the key factors limiting psychological well-being and social adaptation within this population. It is substantiated that psychological counselling conducted in small groups creates favourable conditions for strengthening psychological resilience, enhancing social support, improving communication skills, fostering reflective capacities, and increasing awareness of personal resources. The study also proposes conceptual directions for implementing group counselling approaches in educational settings while considering the psychological characteristics of gifted adolescents.
Scientific novelty. The study integrates contemporary approaches from counselling psychology, the psychology of giftedness, and the resource-based approach to personality in order to substantiate the role of psychological counselling in small groups as a comprehensive factor supporting the subjective well-being of gifted adolescents. Furthermore, it proposes an integrated theoretical framework explaining the relationship between group interaction, the development of psychological resources, self-actualization, and emotional well-being.
Conclusions. Psychological counselling in small groups may be regarded as a promising approach to supporting the psychological development and strengthening the psychological resources of gifted adolescents. The theoretical analysis demonstrates its potential to enhance socio-psychological adaptation, reduce anxiety, promote self-actualization, and improve subjective well-being. Future research should focus on the empirical validation of the proposed conceptual framework and the evaluation of the effectiveness of specific group counselling programmes.
Keywords: psychological counselling; small groups; gifted adolescents; subjective well-being; psychological resources; socio-psychological adaptation; self-actualization; anxiety.
Received: April 21, 2026
Accepted: May 21, 2026
Published: May 30, 2026
References
Blynova, O. Ye., & Kononenko, I. V. (2024). Psykholohichna stiikist ta mentalne blahopoluchchia pidlitkiv v umovakh tryvaloho suspilnoho stresu [Psychological resilience and mental well-being of adolescents under prolonged social stress]. Psykholohichnyi Chasopys, 10(2), 34–45.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Positive emotions broaden and build. American Psychologist, 58(3), 218–226. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033543
Furman, A. V. (2009). Psykhodiagnostyka adaptovanosti shkoliariv [Psychodiagnostics of students' adaptability]. Navchalna knyha – Bohdan.
Kochubei, T. (2018). Psykholohichni resursy osobystosti: teoretychni ta praktychni aspekty [Psychological resources of personality: Theoretical and practical aspects]. Lybid.
Neihart, M., & Pfeiffer, S. I. (2021). The social and emotional development of gifted children: What do we know? (2nd ed.). Prufrock Press.
Panok, V. H. (2023). Stratehii ta modeli psykholohichnoho suprovodu ta konsultuvannia v systemi osvity Ukrainy v umovakh voiennoho stanu [Strategies and models of psychological support and counseling in the education system of Ukraine under martial law]. Visnyk Natsionalnoi Akademii Pedahohichnykh Nauk Ukrainy, 5(1), 12–21. https://doi.org/10.37372/2616-3101-2023-1-12
Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press.
Shevchenko, N. F., & Omelchenko, Ya. V. (2025). Hrupova psykholohichna dopomoha ta konsultuvannia yak chynnyk rozvytku rezylientnosti uchnivskoi molodi [Group psychological assistance and counseling as a factor in developing the resilience of student youth]. Aktualni Problemy Psykholohii: Zbirnyk Naukovykh Prats Instytutu Psykholohii im. H. S. Kostiuka NAPN Ukrainy, 11(28), 112–125.
Tytarenko, T. (2020). Hrupove konsultuvannia yak zasib rozvytku komunikatyvnoi kompetentnosti [Group counseling as a means of communication competence development]. Psykholohiia i Suspilstvo, (2), 45–53.
Tytarenko, T. M. (2023). Psykholohichne zdorov'ia ta zhyttievi domahannia osobystosti: resursy samovidnovlennia [Psychological health and life aspirations of the individual: Self-recovery resources]. Tekhnolohii Rozvytku Intelektu, 7(2), 35.
Vlasova, O. I. (2012). Metodyka doslidzhennia subiektyvnoho blahopoluchchia [Methodology for the study of subjective well-being]. Instytut Psykholohii im. H. S. Kostiuka.
Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2020). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (6th ed.). Basic Books.
Yezerska, N. V. (2017). Subiektivne blahopoluchchia obdarovanykh pidlitkiv yak faktor sotsializatsii [Subjective well-being of gifted adolescents as a factor of socialization]. In Internet-tekhnolohii i sotsializatsiia obdarovanoi uchnivskoi molodi (pp. 45–52). Instytut Obdarovanoi Dytyny.
Yezerska, N. V. (2018). Psykholohichni chynnyky subiektyvnoho blahopoluchchia pidlitkiv v umovakh spetsializovanoi shkoly-internatu [Psychological factors of subjective well-being of adolescents in a specialized boarding school] (Publication No. 1029384) [Doctoral dissertation, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv].
Yezerska, N. V. (2023). Psykholohichni chynnyky subiektyvnoho blahopoluchchia pidlitkiv v umovakh spetsializovanoi shkoly-internatu v period voiennoho stanu [Psychological factors of subjective well-being of adolescents in a specialized boarding school during martial law]. Osvita ta Rozvytok Obdarovanoi Osobystosti, (3), 49–54. https://doi.org/10.32405/2309-3935-2023-3(90)-49-54
Zeidner, M., & Shani-Zinovich, I. (2024). Subjective well-being and emotional regulation in gifted adolescents: A longitudinal perspective. High Ability Studies, 35(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1080/13598139.2023.2212345
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nataliia Yezerska