Inner Speech Experiences of Healthy Adults: A Mixed-Method Design Research

In this study, the role of inner speech types and difficulties in emotion regulation in the relationship between psychological well-being, self-regulation, and self-awareness during adulthood was examined. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was employed. In the quantitative phase, data were collected from 411 adults aged between 20 and 70, residing in Istanbul, with no reported psychiatric diagnosis; correlation analyses and path analyses were conducted in the R Studio environment. The findings showed that critical inner speech was positively associated with difficulties in emotion regulation and negatively associated with psychological well-being, whereas positive/regulatory inner speech-particularly the self-reinforcement dimension-was positively associated with well-being. The results of the path analysis indicated that critical inner speech negatively predicted well-being, while self-reinforcement, mindful awareness, and self-control positively predicted well-being. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 participants with high psychological well-being examined the developmental process of inner speech, the contexts in which it emerges, and its positive and negative effects under four themes. When the findings were evaluated holistically, inner speech was found to play a central role in the regulation of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors; a critical tone was identified as a risk factor, whereas a supportive-focused tone served a protective function. This study provides an integrated theoretical contribution by demonstrating that the tone of inner speech, rather than its quantity, is a key determinant of psychological well-being, and by positioning mindful awareness, self-control, and emotion regulation processes as contextual regulators shaping this tone.