MPNFS-based integrative psychological intervention for adolescents with anxiety disorders: effects on anxiety, self-concept, parenting style, family intimacy, and social support

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an MPNFS-based integrative psychological intervention for adolescents with anxiety disorders, focusing on anxiety symptoms, Self-Concept, Parenting Style, Family Intimacy, and Social Support. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 196 adolescents (10–18 years) with anxiety disorders treated at Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture People’s Hospital from January 2024 to October 2025. Among them, 89 received routine outpatient care and 107 received a 6-week MPNFS-based integrative program as part of routine clinical care. Clinical outcomes included the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale (PHCSS), Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran (EMBU), Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale II Chinese Version (FACESII-CV), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). Results Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. After 6 weeks, the observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group in anxiety (SAS: estimate = −7.5, 95% CI −8.6 to −6.4, P < 0.001) and depression (SDS: −7.4, 95% CI −8.5 to −6.3, P < 0.001). Self-concept improved across all PHCSS subscales (Behavior, Intellectual/School Status, Physical Appearance, Anxiety, Popularity, Happiness; total score: 18.0, 95% CI 16.9–19.1, P < 0.001). Parenting factors improved, including increased paternal emotional warmth (10.1, 95% CI 9.1–11.1, P < 0.001) and maternal emotional warmth (0.8, 95% CI 0.2–1.4, P = 0.012), along with reduced paternal punishment and rejection, and maternal over-interference/protection (all P < 0.001). Family functioning (FACESII-CV: 47.4, 95% CI 46.1–48.7, P < 0.001), perceived social support (PSSS: 20.2, 95% CI 19.0–21.4, P < 0.001), and all SF-36 domains showed significantly greater improvements in the observation group (all P < 0.001). Conclusion The MPNFS-based integrative intervention effectively alleviates anxiety and depression, enhances self-concept, optimizes family functioning, strengthens social support, and improves quality of life in adolescents with anxiety disorders. These findings highlight the clinical potential of a structured multi-component approach and provide evidence supporting its adoption in routine outpatient care, while future longitudinal and randomized studies are needed to confirm the sustainability of these effects.