A Systematic Review of Relationships Between Self-Directed Speech and Self-Processes

Self-directed speech is a well-established aspect of human cognition, although its relationships with self-processes such as self-consciousness, self-rumination, mindfulness, self-concept clarity, and self-esteem remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to synthesize existing empirical findings to clarify how individual differences in self-directed speech relate to self-processes. Guided by PRISMA-informed systematic review procedures, this narrative review examined studies published between 2000 and 2025 that reported correlations between validated self-report measures of self-directed speech and selective self-processes. Relationships across 15 included studies showed low to moderate significant correlations suggesting that thinking about private self-aspects, reflecting and ruminating about the self, clarifying one’s self-concept, engaging in mindfulness, and mind wandering are associated with more or less frequent self-reported use of various forms of speech-for-self. Results also supported the notion that positive self-talk is linked to higher self-esteem and self-reflection whereas negative self-talk is connected to lower self-esteem and self-rumination. These findings are in line with the view that self-directed speech constitutes a central mechanism of self-construction and self-processing. Future research should focus on longitudinal and experimental designs, greater conceptual consistency, and broader cultural representation.