The Laurel School's Center for Research on Girls is now focusing its research exclusively on stress and wellness. In a recent newsletter, they shared findings indicating that "studies of affluent adolescents (those with family incomes above $100K/year) find that in comparison to national norms, affluent girls were three times more likely to report significant levels of depression.

"Further, research on affluent girls finds that, in comparison to low-income groups, affluent girls had very strong links between physical attractiveness and peer popularity." There were two causes: "high achievement pressures and literal and emotional isolation from adults due to demanding parental careers and multiple after-school activities."

Stress is hardly a malady of the wealthy. This is obviously a particular kind of pressure which can result from having too many resources, choices and expectations.

Nagasu's all-or-nothing approach to achievement is likely the work of what psychologist Carol Dweck calls a "fixed mindset," an approach to life in which you believe your traits are set in stone, and failure means you're not talented or smart. For these individuals, "one test - or one evaluation - can measure you forever." People with a fixed mindset are terrible at estimating their abilities because for them, they are either amazing or terrible - all-or nothing.