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C Tippett Thesis 2014.pdf (876.33 KB)

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Mediators and Moderators of the Association Between Self-Silencing and Depression

Tippett, Corie E.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1416495292

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, Psychology, Clinical.
The concept of self-silencing was originally developed by Jack (1991) to explain cultural influences on how women should behave within their interpersonal relationships and why women are more likely to than men to experience clinically relevant levels of depression. Jack and Dill (1992) created the Silencing the Self Scale (STSS), which consists of four subscales, to test their hypotheses regarding gender differences in self-silencing and depression. Research has shown that there is a common link between self-silencing and depression among women (Gratch, Bassett, & Attra, 1995; Uebelacker, Courtnage, & Whissman, 2003; Whiffen, Foot, & Thompson, 2007). The relationship between self-silencing and depression has been more difficult to explain amongst men. Previous studies have found gender acted as a moderator between self-silencing, specifically on the Care as Self-Sacrifice subscale (CSS) of the STSS, and depression. The current study attempted to replicate and explain the moderation effect found in Lutz-Zois et al. (2013). Participants (N= 135) completed six measures including three measures to examine self-silencing behaviors, as well as a depression measure and relationship satisfaction measure. The results indicated no significant interaction between gender and scores on the CSS. A moderated-mediation model was constructed to understand potential relationships between the CSS, gender, relationship satisfaction, and depression. However, the interactions predicted within the model were not significant. Researchers have hypothesized that men self-silence for different reasons than women, such that self-silencing can help establish control and power within their relationship or to avoid experiencing unpleasant emotions (Smolak, 2010; Remen, Chambless & Rodebaugh, 2002). Therefore, this researcher constructed two additional measures using items on the STSS in attempt to identify under what specific conditions do men self-silence. I hypothesized that gender would act as a moderator between depression and self-silencing with regard to conflicts on topics that are seen as unimportant. However, this interaction was not found. Finally, it was hypothesized that there would be a main effect for both genders for depression and self-silencing with regard to conflicts on topics that are seen as important. This main effect was not significant. The results of this study suggest additional research should be completed to further our understanding about gender differences in relation to self-silencing and depression.
Catherine Lutz-Zois, Dr. (Advisor)
John Bauer, Dr. (Committee Member)
Lee Dixon, Dr. (Committee Member)
73 p.
Clinical Psychology; Psychology
Self-Silencing, Care as Self-Sacrifice, Depression, Relationship Satisfaction, gender differences, college students

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Citations

  • Tippett, C. E. (2014). Mediators and Moderators of the Association Between Self-Silencing and Depression [Master's thesis, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1416495292

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tippett, Corie. Mediators and Moderators of the Association Between Self-Silencing and Depression . 2014. University of Dayton, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1416495292.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tippett, Corie. "Mediators and Moderators of the Association Between Self-Silencing and Depression ." Master's thesis, University of Dayton, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1416495292

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

dayton1416495292
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This open access ETD is published by University of Dayton and OhioLINK.