RESUMO
No investigations have been performed about rational-emotional training especially for the gifted students on the prominent cognitive characteristics so far. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of rational- emotional group training on self- esteem and anxiety of gifted male students of Gonabad high schools. The research method is an experimental one accompanied by post-test and pre-test phases with control group. The sample includes 40 students in two groups [experimental and control]. They were chosen and sampled by using simple random sampling method from the center for gifted students. Primarily, pre-test was performed for both groups by Coopersmith self-esteem and Spielberger test anxiety inventories. Next, the experimental group underwent rational and emotional training for 12 sessions. At the end of the training, post-test was performed for both groups. The data were analyzed by SPSS-11.5 and the independent T test was performed. The results showed that the differences between the mean scores of self- esteem in proportion to the control group significantly increased [P=0.01]. Furthermore, the difference between the mean scores of anxiety in the experimental group in comparison with that of the control group decreased significantly [P=0.04]. Given the abovementioned results, group rational and emotional trainings are recommended for the gifted students especially those who have experienced more anxiety or those having low self-esteem.