Psychological Well-Being In Silence: Translating And Digitizing Assessment Tools For Hearing-Impaired Adolescents

Abstract

The objective of this study was to translate key psychological assessment tools into Pakistan Sign Language (PSL) for use with hearing-impaired adolescents. These tools included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Resilience Scale, and the Familial Social Support Scale. The translation process adhered to established frameworks for preserving psychometric properties while accommodating the linguistic and paralinguistic features unique to PSL. Challenges related to facial expressions, body language, and maintaining objective interpretations were addressed through a collaborative approach involving translators, back-translators, and expert reviewers. Additionally, the study also features the development of a dedicated website that facilitates the use of these translated scales for self-monitoring behavioral health among deaf adolescents. The website features PSL video explanations with Urdu subtitles, ensuring accessibility for psychologists unfamiliar with PSL. This initiative bridges critical gaps in the behavioral health assessment of hearing-impaired children by providing culturally and linguistically adapted tools. The findings emphasize the significance of inclusive psychological practices and highlight the need to support the societal integration of hearing-impaired individuals.