What is a gender phenomenon that influences women's mental health and refers to the suppression of one's thoughts, feelings, or needs?

The concept of self-silencing is particularly relevant in discussions surrounding women's mental health, as it involves the tendency to suppress one's own thoughts, feelings, or needs, often due to societal pressures or expectations. This behavior can lead to increased emotional distress and mental health issues, as individuals who engage in self-silencing may feel disconnected from their own identities and experiences.

Women sometimes adapt to their environments by prioritizing others' needs over their own, which can manifest as a reluctance to express personal opinions or emotions. This phenomenon can be deeply rooted in cultural norms and values that emphasize passivity, compliance, or the nurturing of others at the expense of one’s self. Consequently, this suppression can hinder a woman's ability to communicate effectively, seek help, or assert her needs, leading to a cycle of silence and potential mental health struggles.

In contrast, repression, avoidance, and denial refer to different mechanisms that also play roles in how individuals deal with emotions and pressures but do not specifically hinge upon the gendered aspect of silencing one's voice or identity in social contexts. Repression pertains more to an unconscious act of pushing thoughts out of awareness, avoidance relates to steering clear of certain situations or emotions, and denial is about refusing to acknowledge reality or facts