Effectiveness of an Indian Sign Language–Adapted Psychological First Aid Intervention on the Well-Being of Deaf Adults in India

Abstract

The deaf community in India experience chronic barriers to mental health support due to limited access to services in Indian Sign Language (ISL). Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an evidence-informed, early psychosocial intervention that emphasizes safety, empathy, and coping, yet its effectiveness with deaf populations remains insufficiently examined. The present study investigated the impact of an ISL-adapted PFA training on the well-being of deaf adults. A quasi-experimental pretest–post-test control group design was used with 102 deaf participants (experimental group = 51; control group = 51). The experimental group participated in a week-long PFA training delivered entirely in ISL, while the control group received regular training. Well-being outcomes were assessed using the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC-SF), measuring emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Results indicated statistically significant improvements in overall mental health and across all three well-being domains (social, emotional and psychological) for the experimental group, with no significant changes observed in the control group, except in social wellbeing. Thematic analysis of voluntary ISL video feedback further confirmed improvements in emotional regulation, self-efficacy, sense of belonging, and peer support. The findings suggest that culturally and linguistically adapted PFA can effectively enhance well-being among deaf adults, with important implications for inclusive mental health practice, deaf education, and community-based psychosocial interventions.