Internalised Feminine Norms and the Role of Assertiveness, Self-Silencing, and Self-Esteem in Emerging Adult Women

Abstract

Women are often encouraged to be agreeable, emotionally accommodating and relationship-oriented; however, these expectations may come at the cost of their interpersonal voice and self-expression. When feminine norms become internalised, they may shape how women communicate, prioritise others’ needs and regulate their own expression, potentially influencing assertiveness through self-silencing processes. Despite growing discussions around gender socialisation, the psychological pathways underlying this relationship remain insufficiently explored. Therefore, the present study examined the relationship between internalised feminine norms and assertiveness among emerging adult women with self-silencing as a mediator and self-esteem as a moderator. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed involving 204 women aged 18–25 years recruited through online questionnaires. Data were collected using the Femininity Ideology Scale–Short Form (FIS–SF), Silencing the Self Scale (STSS),Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Data were analysed using correlation, mediation and moderation analyses. The findings revealed that internalised feminine norms did not demonstrate a direct relationship with assertiveness. However, they were positively associated with self-silencing which significantly mediated the relationship between internalised feminine norms and assertiveness. Self-esteem was positively associated with assertiveness and significantly moderated the relationship between internalised feminine norms and assertiveness. The findings suggest that the influence of internalised feminine norms on assertiveness may operate indirectly through relational self-regulation processes, particularly self-silencing, while self-esteem shapes the strength of this association. The study highlights the importance of interventions targeting self-silencing tendencies while strengthening self-worth and assertiveness skills among women in university and early-career contexts.