Psychology Steady relationships are psychologically more important for men than for women
Stable relationships are more important for men than for women. This is the conclusion reached by researchers evaluating more than 50 psychological and sociological studies from the past two decades, as announced by Berlin's Humboldt University on Monday.
06.01.2025, 16:54
SDA
"Men apparently tend to be more focused on entering into committed relationships," explained lead author Iris Wahring. "In addition, these relationships have a more positive effect on men's well-being and health than women's." Even the life expectancy of men depends more on whether they are in a committed relationship than is the case for women.
The researchers also found that men were less likely than women to initiate a break-up if they were in a committed relationship, that they were more likely to feel lonely after a break-up and less likely to see the positive aspects of the break-up. The study is based exclusively on findings from heterosexual relationships, mostly in western industrialized countries. The study was published in the journal "Behavioral and Brain Sciences".
Men lack emotional support
The scientists cited emotional needs in particular as a possible explanation. Women typically received more emotional support from their social environment than men. "In short, stable relationships are psychologically more important for men than for women," explains Wahring.
Co-author Paul van Lange from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam emphasized that without a partner, men often lack social contacts and therefore people to whom they can open up and who support them emotionally. This can have far-reaching consequences for health and well-being.
