Designing and testing a structural model of self-silence in married women based on attachment style, emotional expression, and loneliness with the mediating role of self-compassion

Background: It seems that the fear of missing out on meaningful relationships, especially in romantic relationships, is rooted in attachment styles, and this leads to self-sufficiency in women. Therefore, the study of the antecedents affecting women's self-silence can lead to some psychological problems in them. Aims: The purpose of this study was to design and test the structural pattern of self-silence in married women based on attachment style, emotional expression, and loneliness with the mediation of self-compassion. Methods: The research method was fundamental research and descriptive and correlational research (structural equation modeling analysis). The statistical population was married women referred to psychological and counseling services centers in Tehran in 2023. The research sample was 400 married women referred to psychological and counseling services centers in Tehran in 2023, who were selected by random sampling. Data were collected using a self-silencing scale (Jack, & Dill, 1992), Adult Attachment Style Inventory (Hazan, & Shaver, 1987), Emotional Expression Questionnaire (King, & Emmons, 1990), Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (DiTommaso et al, 2004), and Self-compassion Questionnaire (Neff, 2003). To analyze the data AMOS software was used. Results: The results of the data analysis showed that emotional expression has a positive and significant effect on self-compassion and a negative and significant effect on self-silence (P< 0.05). The direct effect of emotional loneliness on self-compassion was negative and significant, and on self-silence was positive and significant (P< 0.05). The direct positive effect of secure attachment styles on self-compassion was positive and significant, and on self-silence was negative and significant (P< 0.05). Also, the direct effect of avoidant and ambivalent insecure attachment styles on self-compassion was negative and self-silence was positive and significant. Also, emotional expression, emotional loneliness, and attachment styles through self-compassion had an indirect effect on self-silence. Conclusion: According to the results, it is possible to moderate an important part of loneliness and emotional self-assertion in married women by teaching self-compassion skills. Therefore, it is possible to benefit from teaching self-compassion skills to silence women in counseling and psychotherapy clinics.