Effectiveness of Novel Family- and School-Based Psychological Interventions in Reducing Anxiety and Depression and Enhancing Spiritual Vitality among Adolescents with Hearing Impairment

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of novel family- and school-based psychological interventions in reducing anxiety and depression and enhancing spiritual vitality among adolescents with hearing impairment. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with an experimental group and a control group. The statistical population consisted of adolescents aged 14-18 years with hearing impairment who were enrolled in special education schools in Ahvaz during the 2025-2026 academic year. Thirty eligible adolescents, including 15 girls and 15 boys, were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group, with 15 participants in each group. Data were collected using the depression and anxiety subscales of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale and the Afrouz Spiritual Vitality Scale. The experimental group received a 16-session family- and school-based psychological intervention, with each 90-minute session delivered twice weekly, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance while controlling for pretest scores. Analysis of covariance revealed a significant between-group effect on depression after controlling for pretest scores, F(1,27)=31.27, p<.001, partial η²=.53. A significant intervention effect was also found for anxiety, F(1,27)=34.78, p<.001, partial η²=.56. Moreover, spiritual vitality differed significantly between the two groups, F(1,27)=43.66, p<.001, partial η²=.62. Adjusted mean comparisons indicated that participants in the experimental group had significantly lower depression and anxiety and significantly higher spiritual vitality than those in the control group. The integrated family- and school-based psychological intervention was effective in reducing depression and anxiety and enhancing spiritual vitality among adolescents with hearing impairment, suggesting its potential utility in psychological, counseling, rehabilitation, and educational services for this population.