The Relationship Between Self-Silencing and Depression: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Over time, several studies have provided knowledge about the relationship between self-silencing and depression. However, even if there is a tendency to obtain positive correlations, results ranging from null to large effects are rather variable, and until now no meta-analysis exists of these results, to our knowledge. Under these circumstances, the purpose of the present study is to quantitatively integrate existing results refecting the relationship between self-silencing and depression and to explore potential moderators of this relationship, in regards to conceptual aspects and characteristics of the samples. Methods: Our meta-analysis incorporates 31 published and 11 unpublished studies (with a total of 10,108 participants and 131 effect sizes), written in English, which statistically quantify the link between self-silencing and depression. For the analysis of the overall effect, specific meta-analytical procedures were used for heterogeneity, publication bias, and potential moderators. Results: There is an overall significant positive and medium correlation between self-silencing and depression (r = 0.391, p < 0.001). The heterogeneity of the results is partially explained by components of self-silencing, measured in each study and certain features of the samples such as age, sexual orientation, and level of education. Discussion: For researchers on this topic, our results offer a more precise input for computing sample sizes and also generate expectations of results as a function of specific methodological features. For practitioners, our results suggest the importance of approaching components of self-silence in counseling and therapy (with increased attention towards the externalized self-perception and the divided self) as mechanisms in depression (especially for younger and highly educated clients, and for non-heterosexuals).