Investigation of empathy, prosociality, adjustment in life and life satisfaction in gifted students at high school level

The primary objective of this study is to assess the empathy, prosociality, life adjustment, and life satisfaction levels of gifted students in high school. The sub-objectives of the study include comparing empathy, prosociality, life adjustment, and life satisfaction based on demographic variables. Therefore, the correlational screening model was used in constructing the research model. The research population consisted of gifted students attending high schools in Istanbul and Kocaeli. The sample group consisted of 188 students who were selected through purposive sampling and volunteered to participate in the study. Research data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Adolescent Empathy and Sympathy Scale, the Adolescent Prosociality Scale, the Life Adjustment Scale, and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Quantitative data were collected in the study. The SPSS-28 software package was used to analyze the collected data. Analyses such as frequency and percentage analysis, descriptive statistics, normality analyses, independent groups t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted on this axis. The study concluded that female students scored significantly higher than male students in terms of empathy and prosociality among gifted high school students. However, no significant findings were found regarding grade level, number of siblings, family income, mother's education level, or father's education level. Furthermore, no significant findings were found regarding life adjustment based on gender, grade level, number of siblings, family income, mother's education level, or father's education level. Regarding the participant students' life satisfaction, it was found that students with high-income families scored significantly higher than students with low and moderate incomes. However, no significant results were found regarding gender, grade level, number of siblings, mother's education level, or father's education level. In addition, a positive and significant correlation was found between the empathy, prosociality, life adjustment, and life satisfaction levels of gifted high school students. Keywords: High school level, gifted, empathy, prosociality, harmony in life, life satisfaction