Relationship between gratitude and mental health in deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Gratitude, a recognized protective factor for mental health state in students with disabilities, has garnered substantial research attention in Western contexts. However, its role among Chinese deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) adolescents remains underexplored, particularly regarding mechanisms linking gratitude to psychological well-being beyond psychopathological frameworks. Based on a sample of 102 DHH students across Grades 7-12 (mean age = 17.8 years) from two special education schools, the present study attempted to examine the mediating roles of gratitude, affect balance, and self-esteem in the association between gratitude and mental health outcomes. Results indicated that DHH youths reported a relatively high level of gratitude. Gratitude was positively associated with mental health outcomes through enhanced affect balance. This work deepens understanding of the interaction between gratitude and psychological well-being, paving the way for future intervention focusing on gratitude cultivation and mental health prevention programs within DHH educational frameworks.