A construct labeled "self-silencing" or "loss of voice" as an aspect of female social development is emerging in current literature, and it is postulated that suppression of expression prescribes a more passive and muted role for women and lies at the root of depression in women. This study was a longitudinal project examining earlier parenting and family factors as predictors of late adolescent adjustment outcomes. Family reports of parental behavior and adolescent self-reports of self-silencing and depression were obtained during the fifth, seventh, and twelfth grade years. Findings suggested that more Aware Parenting behavior (consisting of support, attentiveness, responsiveness, receptivity to emotions, and guidance), as measured in both the fifth and twelfth grades, is related to lower levels of self-silencing and depression in late adolescence in both girls and boys. More punitive and restrictive parenting behavior, as measured in the seventh grade year, was related to higher levels of self-silencing and depression in late adolescence. Findings also supported the hypothesis that self-silencing is a mediator of the long-term and immediate effects of parenting on late adolescent depression for both girls and boys. (Contains 15 references.) (SD)