The mediating role of social approval, external shame and power perception in the relationship between submissive behaviors in close relationships and self-constructs: Mediating role of social approval, external shame and perception of power

A person's submissive behaviors are influenced by the culture in which they live and a self-concept shaped by that culture. Self-perception, the need for social approval, the experience of external shame, and perceived personal power are thought to contribute to the tendency of some individuals to exhibit more compliant, passive, and withdrawn behavior patterns. In this study, the effects of self-perception types (autonomous, relational, and autonomous-relational), need for social approval, external shame, and perceived power on the prediction of submissive behaviors were examined through path analysis within the scope of structural equation modeling. In addition, the possible mediating roles of social approval, external shame, and power perception in the relationship between self-perception and submissive behaviors were evaluated. This correlational study was conducted with 633 participants (349 women, 284 men) selected via convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Information Form, Submissive Acts Scale, Sense of Power Scale, The Other As Shame-2, Autonomous-Related Self Scale and Need for Social Approval Scale. According to the findings, significant differences were observed in external shame, need for social approval, relational self-perception, and autonomous–relational self-perception based on gender; in submissive behaviors, autonomous self-perception, and external shame based on educational level; in submissive behaviors, perceived power, relational self-perception, and external shame based on marital status; and in submissive behaviors, perceived power, external shame, autonomous self-perception, and relational self-perception based on age. Path analysis results indicated that autonomous self-perception, need for social approval, external shame, and perceived power directly predicted submissive behaviors. Relational and autonomous–relational self-perceptions, on the other hand, had indirect effects, with full mediation observed through social approval, external shame, and power perception. In the relationship between autonomous self-perception and submissive behaviors, partial and sequential mediation effects were identified. The final model explained 32% of the variance in submissive behaviors through perceived power, 23% through social approval, and 21% through external shame. All findings were discussed in light of the relevant literature, and practical implications were presented accordingly. Keywords: External shame, Need for social approval, Self-construal, Sense of power, Submissive behavior.