Psychological distress isolates men more than women, according to a 14-year study
Social support boosts mental health for both sexes, but a new study shows men face a unique trap. When experiencing psychological distress, men are far more likely than women to withdraw and lose their social safety nets.
A 14-year study exploring the correlation between psychological distress and perceived social support found that men's distress tends to erode their perceived support more than women, according to a new analysis. Published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, the research reveals a stronger bidirectional link between men's psychological distress and reduced social support compared to the opposite association in women.
The study, conducted by Kieren J. Lilly and colleagues, utilized data from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (NZAVS), a longitudinal panel comprising 76,409 participants. Perceived social support and psychological distress were assessed in 75,404 individuals, with women comprising 62% of the sample. The findings suggest that men may benefit less from general social-support interventions, despite facing serious consequences of unaddressed mental health issues.
Written by urgent.news from PsyPost's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
