Exploring the experiences of parents of gifted students regarding bullying

Abstract

Bullying in schools remains a significant issue that affects all students involved, particularly the parents of gifted students. While the prevalence of bullying among gifted students has been examined, the experiences of parents whose gifted children have been victims of bullying have largely been overlooked. This study explores the bullying experiences of gifted students from the perspectives of their parents. A total of 13 parents of gifted students (11 mothers and 2 fathers) participated in semi-structured interviews to share their insights. Thematic analysis identified three key themes: victimization, factors influencing the bullying of gifted students, and parental responses to their children’s victimization. The findings emphasize the importance of understanding the experiences and reactions of parents of bullied gifted students in order to effectively prevent and address bullying incidents. The implications of this study are discussed in the context of strategies for preventing bullying victimization among gifted students. © The Author(s) 2025.