1
Department of Foreign Languages Teaching, Ard.C., Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran
2
Faculty of Humanities, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
10.22098/jpc.2026.19220.1367
Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of a resilience-based group intervention in reducing foreign language speaking anxiety among university English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students. It further examined whether the intervention enhanced psychological resilience and led to improvements in objective English-speaking performance. A randomized wait-list controlled pre–post design was employed. Ninety-two undergraduate English Language Teaching students from Islamic Azad University, Astara Branch were screened for moderate-to-high foreign language anxiety, and 87 eligible participants were randomly assigned to either a resilience-based intervention group or a control group. The intervention consisted of six weekly 90-minute sessions focusing on emotion regulation, cognitive reappraisal, optimism training, strengths-based self-efficacy, coping strategies, social support, and graded speaking exposure. Foreign language speaking anxiety, psychological resilience, and speaking performance were measured at baseline and post-intervention using validated self-report instruments and an IELTS-style speaking test. Data was analyzed using mixed-design ANOVAs. The results revealed significant Group × Time interactions for all outcome variables. Compared with the control group, participants in the intervention group showed a substantial reduction in foreign language speaking anxiety, a significant increase in psychological resilience, and significantly greater gains in objective speaking performance. Effect sizes were medium to large, indicating strong practical significance. The findings provide empirical support for resilience-based interventions as an effective, resource-oriented approach to reducing speaking anxiety and enhancing both psychological well-being and oral language performance in university EFL contexts.
Mousavi, S. N. , Talimian, N. and Mohammadi, V. (2026). The Impact of Resilience-Based Intervention on Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety among University Students. Preventive Counseling, 7(3), -. doi: 10.22098/jpc.2026.19220.1367
MLA
Mousavi, S. N. , , Talimian, N. , and Mohammadi, V. . "The Impact of Resilience-Based Intervention on Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety among University Students", Preventive Counseling, 7, 3, 2026, -. doi: 10.22098/jpc.2026.19220.1367
HARVARD
Mousavi, S. N., Talimian, N., Mohammadi, V. (2026). 'The Impact of Resilience-Based Intervention on Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety among University Students', Preventive Counseling, 7(3), pp. -. doi: 10.22098/jpc.2026.19220.1367
CHICAGO
S. N. Mousavi , N. Talimian and V. Mohammadi, "The Impact of Resilience-Based Intervention on Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety among University Students," Preventive Counseling, 7 3 (2026): -, doi: 10.22098/jpc.2026.19220.1367
VANCOUVER
Mousavi, S. N., Talimian, N., Mohammadi, V. The Impact of Resilience-Based Intervention on Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety among University Students. Preventive Counseling, 2026; 7(3): -. doi: 10.22098/jpc.2026.19220.1367
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