Young people with disabilities face significant mental health challenges that can hinder their overall well-being and development. These challenges are worsened by factors such as social isolation, discrimination, and limited access to mental health services (World Health Organization, 2023). Sarkar’s (2023) research revealed that, compared with students without disabilities, students with disabilities experience more anxiety and academic-related distress, as well as higher rates of suicide ideation, suicide attempts, no suicidal self-injury, and similar problems. China has the highest number of individuals with hearing disabilities in the world. According to the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (2020), approximately 27.8 million people in China have hearing disabilities, representing over 30% of the country’s disabled population. Hearing disabilities have been identified as having severe negative effects on the health and quality of life of young people in China (Xiao et al., 2022). Young people with hearing disabilities are more likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems, which may lead to heightened stress (Xiao et al., 2022). Therefore, the mental health challenges faced by young people with hearing disabilities underscore the critical need for comprehensive mental health services and support within educational settings, a call for action that cannot be ignored.

Regular physical activity is a powerful tool for enhancing the mental health of young people with hearing disabilities. As per the World Health Organization (2020), this involves at least 150 min of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, 75 min of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, or a combination of both. Research has shown that regular physical activity can effectively combat challenges such as social isolation and stigma by fostering social engagement and reducing feelings of loneliness (Schrempft et al., 2019; Franke et al., 2021). Moreover, it increases mental well-being, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, improves quality of life, and fosters social skills, resilience, and a sense of belonging (Porcelli et al., 2014; Charles and Chinaza, 2018) for young people with hearing disabilities. Therefore, regular physical activity is a health recommendation and a social lifeline for these young individuals.

The well-being and happiness of youth with hearing disabilities involve not only emotions but also powerful tools that can help them overcome challenges and improve their lives. Well-being refers to people’s affective and cognitive evaluations of their lives, typically operationalized as frequent positive affect, infrequent negative affect, and high life satisfaction (Diener, 1984). Happiness is a person’s overall positive emotional condition, marked by generally pleasant moods and feelings that substantially outweigh unpleasant ones (Haybron, 2008). Research has shown that these positive emotions can lead to better academic outcomes (Szarkowski and Brice, 2018), improved physical health (Veenhoven, 2008), enhanced social relationships (Camfield et al., 2009), and overall life satisfaction (Ruggeri et al., 2020). Additionally, they can boost the immune system, improve concentration and motivation, reduce the risk of chronic illness, and promote healthier lifestyles (Sin, 2016). For example, a study by McKenzie Smith et al. (2018) revealed that siblings of children with disabilities who reported high levels of well-being also showed better academic performance and social interactions. Therefore, well-being and happiness play crucial roles in the mental health and overall quality of life of youth with hearing disabilities. Understanding the factors that promote well-being and happiness is crucial, as this knowledge can help develop effective educational and social policies that can make a real difference in the lives of these youth.

Fostering self-efficacy can significantly improve the well-being and happiness of youth with hearing disabilities. These individuals often lack a sense of control over their lives, which can significantly impact their mental health and overall well-being (Palmer et al., 2017; Smetana, 2017). Self-efficacy gives them a sense of control and belief in their ability to positively influence outcomes, ultimately increasing their life satisfaction (Locke, 1997). Studies have demonstrated that self-efficacy can enhance a sense of control and competence (Locke, 1997; Patra, 2021), and importantly, it can reduce anxiety and stress (Kleppang et al., 2023), offering reassurance and confidence in the potential benefits. It also promotes positive social relationships (Caprara et al., 2006) and facilitates goal achievement (Meng and Zhang, 2023) for youth with hearing disabilities. For example, Patra (2021) reported that self-efficacy significantly correlates with and predicts the mental health and happiness of adolescents with hearing disabilities. These findings underscore the importance of nurturing self-efficacy to increase the well-being and happiness of youth with hearing disabilities.

Moreover, resilience plays a crucial role in helping youth with hearing disabilities handle various physical, social, and academic challenges (Luthar et al., 2000; Masten, 2018). Resilience, which involves adapting and recovering from adversity, trauma, or significant sources of stress, is essential for individuals to overcome difficulties and maintain their mental health and well-being (Luthar et al., 2000; Masten, 2018). Studies have shown that resilience contributes to emotional regulation (Compas et al., 2012), adaptability (Luthar et al., 2000), self-concept (Ragmoun and Alfalih, 2024), and social relationships (Cohen and Wills, 1985). Nesbitt et al. (2022) reported that resilience in transition-aged youth with serious mental illness was linked to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as improved overall well-being. Therefore, developing resilience through strengthening psychological aspects can significantly improve the well-being and happiness of youth with hearing disabilities.

Regular physical activity is a crucial factor in connecting self-efficacy, resilience, happiness, and well-being, and it holds particular significance in improving the mental health of young people with hearing disabilities. From a neurological perspective, physical activity increases the levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that regulate mood and motivation and help prevent depression (Dishman et al., 2006; Pilc, 2010). The sense of achievement that comes with regular physical activity enhances psychological resilience and self-efficacy, contributing to overall well-being by reducing anxiety and depression (Pascoe et al., 2020). Additionally, it fosters positive social interactions and provides a structured routine that is essential for mental health, offering a sense of security and stability (Schuch and Vancampfort, 2021). According to Yang et al. (2022), the use of the RE-AIM framework to analyze the impact of physical activity on mental health outcomes revealed significant improvements in psychological health, including reduced anxiety and depression, and enhanced self-esteem and cognitive function. Beyond psychosocial determinants, recent educational data-mining work shows that student performance can be modeled from socio-academic features using modern machine-learning pipelines. For example, Al-Ali et al. (2024) analyzed socio-academic factors with EDA, dimensionality reduction, clustering, and sequence models to predict academic performance, illustrating how data-driven approaches uncover multivariate patterns not easily captured by traditional analyses.

In conclusion, while there is extensive evidence of the benefits of regular physical activity for mental health, previous studies have not thoroughly investigated its effects on the connections among self-efficacy, resilience, happiness, and overall well-being in young people with hearing disabilities. This study aims to achieve two objectives: (1) identify the relationships among self-efficacy, resilience, happiness, and well-being from the perspective of young people with hearing disabilities and (2) examine the associates with and moderating effects of regular physical activity on these relationships (Figure 1).

A recent study revealed several significant findings regarding young people with hearing disabilities. First, it has been shown that self-efficacy has a positive effect on happiness, which is supported by the findings of Palmer et al. (2017), Patra (2021), and Smetana (2017). Self-efficacy can help empower young people with hearing disabilities to effectively manage the challenges they face due to their condition, giving them greater control over their lives (Michael et al., 2015). This sense of control is linked to reduced anxiety and stress, improved social interactions, and a more positive outlook, all of which contribute to increased happiness (Patra, 2021). Compared with their hearing peers, young people with hearing disabilities often have lower levels of self-efficacy (Cuevas et al., 2019). When they lack confidence in managing their lives and dealing with various challenges, anxiety and excessive stress can occur, ultimately affecting their mental health. Therefore, enhancing self-efficacy among young people with hearing disabilities is a critical first step toward promoting their happiness.

Additionally, our study revealed that regular physical activity has significant potential to moderate the link between self-efficacy and happiness. Young people with hearing disabilities who regularly engage in physical activity demonstrate a stronger connection between self-efficacy and happiness. From a physiological standpoint, Gerber (2018) suggested that positive changes in hypothalamic–pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity and the sympathoadrenal medullary system during regular exercise can extend to nonphysical stressors. Multiple studies have demonstrated that regular physical activity not only directly contributes to better health by reducing the risk factors for major diseases but also indirectly helps individuals manage stress and enhance self-efficacy (McAuley et al., 2005; Gerber and Pühse, 2009; Gerber, 2018). Therefore, establishing a regular exercise routine among young people with hearing disabilities holds promising potential to significantly increase their confidence and mental well-being, offering a hopeful path for their future.

Surprisingly, our study revealed no significant relationship between self-efficacy and well-being among young people with hearing disabilities. Enhancing self-efficacy may not necessarily lead to improved well-being for these individuals. This finding diverges from those of previous research, which consistently demonstrated a positive correlation between self-efficacy and well-being (Oyewumi and Anieke, 2016; Crowe, 2021; Muñoz et al., 2021). Several studies have attempted to explain why significant relationships are absent. Gross (2002) proposed that while self-efficacy can equip individuals to confront challenges, a deficiency in emotional regulation skills or resilience might impede their well-being. Furthermore, given the intricate nature of well-being, self-efficacy alone may not be adequate to foster well-being, especially when it is centered on a belief in one’s ability to succeed (Diener, 2000). Furthermore, In collectivist, face-saving contexts, perceived capability may not translate into higher well-being when autonomy, inclusion, and accessible supports are constrained; stigma and service/access barriers can blunt the affective returns of self-efficacy (Corrigan and Watson, 2002). Therefore, the use of self-efficacy as the sole determinant for promoting well-being in young people with hearing disabilities may be constrained. These findings underscore the need for further research to better understand and promote the well-being of the population.

Resilience has a significant positive effect on the happiness and well-being of young people with hearing disabilities. This finding is supported by previous studies, which have shown that resilience plays a crucial role in promoting mental health and enhancing happiness (Marwaha and Anand, 2019; Patra, 2021) and well-being (Porcelli et al., 2014; Conder et al., 2015; Patra, 2021). Resilience refers to the ability of individuals to use adaptive coping strategies to effectively manage stress and overcome challenges, leading to positive mental health outcomes (Bonanno, 2004). A critical component of resilience that contributes to happiness and well-being is psychological flexibility, which enables individuals to adapt to changing circumstances and see challenges as opportunities for growth (Kashdan and Rottenberg, 2010). Therefore, resilience is crucial for young people with hearing disabilities, as it helps them adapt to difficult situations and cope with the stress associated with life challenges, ultimately fostering a positive outlook essential for maintaining mental health.

This study suggests that regular physical activity plays a role in moderating the relationship between resilience and well-being. These findings indicate that young people with hearing disabilities who engage in regular physical activity exhibit greater resilience, improving their well-being. This finding aligns with several previous studies that have demonstrated the positive impact of regular physical activity on resilience and well-being (Reyes-Molina et al., 2022; Wermelinger Ávila et al., 2022). According to Liu et al. (2024), maintaining a regular physical activity routine can help individuals become more mentally resilient, benefiting their mental well-being. Therefore, young individuals with hearing disabilities need regular physical activity to develop resilience and enhance their well-being.

Finally, this study revealed that young people with hearing disabilities who engage in regular physical activity tend to have higher levels of self-efficacy, resilience, happiness, and well-being than those who do not engage in regular physical activity. These findings are consistent with previous research that has shown the positive effects of regular physical activity on self-efficacy (Toros et al., 2023), resilience (Deshayes and Périard, 2023), happiness (Liang et al., 2021), and well-being (Herbert et al., 2020). Engaging in regular physical activity has been found to improve cognitive function, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and enhance overall psychological well-being due to neurochemical changes, such as increased production of endorphins and serotonin, associated with consistent exercise (Miller et al., 2016; McPherson et al., 2018). Young people with hearing disabilities often face high-stress situations in their daily lives due to limitations in their body function. They require effective strategies to manage this stress. This study confirms that regular physical activity can significantly improve self-efficacy, resilience, happiness, and well-being in young people with hearing disabilities, contributing to the development of their mental health.

The findings of this study have several theoretical contributions and implications.

This study used rigorous methods to achieve its objectives. However, several limitations still need to be addressed. First, the study’s cross-sectional design captures data only at a specific point in time. A longitudinal approach would help establish cause–and–effect relationships between the variables in future studies. Second, the study focused only on young people with hearing disabilities, excluding others with disabilities. Future studies could consider including a broader range of disabilities to provide more comprehensive insights. Additionally, the study primarily used quantitative methods, which may not capture the depth of individual experiences. The use of qualitative methods could provide richer insights into how young people with hearing disabilities perceive and build resilience and self-efficacy in their daily lives and how regular physical activity benefits their mental health and overall well-being.

This study revealed that regular physical activity significantly improved self-efficacy, resilience, happiness, and well-being among young people with hearing disabilities. The findings emphasize the vital role of regular physical activity in promoting mental health, especially by strengthening resilience, which is crucial for coping with the unique challenges faced by this population. Additionally, the study reveals that while self-efficacy positively associates with happiness, it does not directly affect well-being, suggesting that other factors, such as emotional regulation, play a more significant role in the development of well-being. Overall, this study highlights the importance of including regular physical activity in young people with hearing disabilities to support their mental health and overall quality of life.