Factor Structure, Psychometric Properties, and Measurement Invariance of the Self-Silencing Scale among Married and Single Female Medical Students

silencing the self, and the divided self [9].Jack based the theory of self-silencing on the extent to which women consider themselves important in close and authentic relationships with others [3].This theory suggests that women's depression is closely related to their experiences in romantic relationships.Psychologists believe that self-silencing occurs at both high and low levels among individuals.Compared to those with low self-silencing, individuals with high self-Abstract Objective: Self-silencing refers to the suppression of one's needs, emotions, and personal desires to prevent conflict or harm in interpersonal relationships, and it is associated with adverse psychological outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and reduced social functioning.This study aimed to examine the factor structure, psychometric properties, and measurement invariance of the Self-Silencing Scale (STSS) among female medical students based on marital status.Methods: This study was developmental-applied in nature and employed a descriptive-analytical design with a psychometric evaluation approach.The statistical population consisted of all female students at the Qom Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran during the 2023-2024 academic year.A sample of 300 participants was selected using convenience sampling, based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.The STSS, consisting of 31 items, was used to assess self silencing.Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26) and AMOS (version 24).Construct validity was examined through confirmatory factor analysis, and internal consistency was evaluated as an indicator of reliability.Measurement invariance across married and single students was also assessed.Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-factor structure consisting of "externalized self-perception," "care as self-sacrifice," "silencing the self," and "divided self," with 25 items retained based on acceptable factor loadings (0.355-0.819).Fit indices indicated an adequate model fit (χ²/df = 1.34;CFI = 0.945; TLI = 0.940; RMSEA = 0.047).Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.925; McDonald's omega = 0.963), and subscales showed strong positive correlations with the total score (Pearson correlations: 0.84-0.93).Measurement invariance analysis indicated that configural, metric, and scalar invariance were established across married and single students, suggesting no significant differences in factor structure, factor loadings, or latent means between the groups (Δχ² = 4.50, P = 0.72 for metric invariance; Δχ² = 5.20, P = 0.63 for scalar invariance). Conclusion:The findings demonstrate that the STSS possesses strong reliability, validity, and structural stability for assessing self silencing among female medical students.Establishing measurement invariance across marital status supports the use of this instrument in cross group comparative studies.It facilitates its application in designing targeted interventions to reduce self silencing behaviors in similar populations.