The Protective Silence Model and Its Impact on Stress Regulation, Social Boundary Control, and Mental Wellbeing

Abstract

Silence has traditionally been examined either as a passive behavioral state or as a correlate of social withdrawal. However, emerging psychological research suggests that intentional silence may function as an active self-regulatory mechanism that protects individuals from psychological and social harm. The present study proposes and empirically examines the Protective Silence Model, a conceptual framework that positions silence as a functional psychological strategy facilitating stress regulation, social boundary control, and mental wellbeing. Drawing on contemporary theories of emotion regulation and self-determination, the model conceptualizes silence not as avoidance, but as a deliberate form of self-protective disengagement that enables individuals to regulate emotional overload and maintain psychological autonomy. Using validated psychometric instruments, the study investigates the relationships between protective silence, stress regulation capacity, perceived social boundary control, and overall mental wellbeing. Quantitative analyses were conducted using multivariate statistical techniques, including correlation analysis, hierarchical regression models, and structural equation modeling. The results demonstrate that protective silence is significantly associated with lower perceived stress levels, stronger social boundary control, and higher levels of psychological wellbeing. Furthermore, social boundary control was found to partially mediate the relationship between protective silence and mental wellbeing, indicating that silence operates both directly and indirectly as a psychological buffer. The findings contribute to the literature by distinguishing protective silence from maladaptive solitude and loneliness, highlighting its adaptive role in contemporary high-stimulation social environments. The Protective Silence Model offers a novel integrative perspective with implications for mental health research, clinical interventions, and psychosocial stress management. By reframing silence as a resource rather than a deficit, this study provides empirical support for silence-based self-regulation as a viable pathway to psychological resilience and wellbeing.