Men, Not Women, Feel More Emotional Pain After A Breakup: Study Reveals

Spread the love

Psychology News – Researchers at Lancaster University revealed that men usually feel more emotional pain after a breakup when compared to women. The results are published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.

The Study

The researchers used natural language processing methods to analyze entries in an anonymous online platform. They surveyed the demographic and psychological characteristics of over 184,000 participants, as well as the relationship issues they experienced and the online relationship support they sought.

This methodology was employed to look beyond the limited number of people who avail of couple therapy and analyze the general public who commonly experience unaddressed relationship problems.

The Findings

Using the data, the researchers statistically “mapped” the more common relationship problems faced by the general public. They found that most couples suffered from communication problems and trust issues in their relationships. However, even though most people acknowledged relationship problems, they showed tendencies to highlight the emotional pain caused by the problems rather than address the problems directly.

The results also provided an interesting insight into how gender differences in relationships determined the way people handle emotional pain during breakups. The researchers found both men and women to be equally perceptive in identifying relationship problems. Yet, surprisingly, it was found that men experience more emotional pain than women after failed relationships.

However, the gendered responses diverge more when it comes to therapy. It was seen that women are more open to therapy than men after breakups. Contrastingly, men, who are also heartbroken after a breakup, are more likely to seek relationship support from strangers in online settings than go to traditional therapy.

Drawing Inferences

The researchers inferred that stigma around men’s mental health and cultural notions of masculinity prevent men from sharing their emotions and seeking help, even when they feel the same emotional pain after a breakup as women.

But, the researchers are enthusiastic that studies like this can help identify common relationship problems and aid couples in avoiding the common setbacks to romantic success. This can also raise awareness about men’s mental health, dissolve gendered myths around relationships, and destigmatize help-seeking.

One of the lead researchers, Dr. Ryan Boyd, elaborated, “This gives us serious hope that we can use help-seeking behavior to better understand all types of social and psychological issues, and in a way that we simply cannot do using traditional research methods.”

To Know More You May Relate To

Entwistle, C., Horn, A. B., Meier, T., & Boyd, R. L. (2021). Dirty laundry: The nature and substance of seeking relationship help from strangers online. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(12), 3472–3496. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211046635


Spread the love
  • Can Heightened Mindfulness Fuel Narcissistic Rivalry And Aggression?

    Can Heightened Mindfulness Fuel Narcissistic Rivalry And Aggression?

    Research reveals the downsides of enhanced trait mindfulness.

  • Do People With Depression Display Malevolent Creativity?

    Do People With Depression Display Malevolent Creativity?

    Research explores the link between depression and malevolent creativity.

  • Does Hypnosis Work For Everyone?

    Does Hypnosis Work For Everyone?

    Research delves on the efficiency of hypnotherapy.

  • Anxious vs. Nervous: Unraveling the Differences and Understanding Their Impact

    Anxious vs. Nervous: Unraveling the Differences and Understanding Their Impact

    Understanding the difference between nervousness and anxiety disorders.

  • Is Climate Anxiety Weighing on Your Mind? Exploring the Impact and Solutions

    Is Climate Anxiety Weighing on Your Mind? Exploring the Impact and Solutions

    Understanding the mental health consequences of climate anxiety.

  • Nature Bath Is Mother Nature’s Prescription For Your Mental Health

    Nature Bath Is Mother Nature’s Prescription For Your Mental Health

    Understanding the mental health benefits of nature bathing.

  • How Is Urgency Culture At Work Damaging Our Mental Health?

    How Is Urgency Culture At Work Damaging Our Mental Health?

    Research delves on the mental health ills of urgency culture.

  • Understanding Job Rust-Out: The Silent Killer of Job Satisfaction

    Understanding Job Rust-Out: The Silent Killer of Job Satisfaction

    Research delves into the intricacies of job rust-out.

  • False Media Portrayals Of Schizophrenia Adds To Stigma

    False Media Portrayals Of Schizophrenia Adds To Stigma

    Understanding the difference between positive and negative media portrayals of…

  • Debunking The Myths About Schizophrenia

    Debunking The Myths About Schizophrenia

    Research delves on the stigma that surrounds schizophrenia, its diagnosis,…

  • Is Schizophrenia Diagnosis Heavily Stigmatized?

    Is Schizophrenia Diagnosis Heavily Stigmatized?

    Research delves on the stigma that surrounds schizophrenia, its diagnosis,…

  • Experts Warn That Dating Apps Can Destroy Mental Health

    Experts Warn That Dating Apps Can Destroy Mental Health

    Understanding the mental health ill and benefits of dating apps…

  • The Long-Term Impact Of Social Media On Teens’ Mental Health

    The Long-Term Impact Of Social Media On Teens’ Mental Health

    Understanding the mental health ills and benefits of social media…

  • What Is The Future Of Mental Health Care?

    What Is The Future Of Mental Health Care?

    Research provides insights into technology-assisted mental health care.

  • The Fads And Facts About Schizophrenia

    The Fads And Facts About Schizophrenia

    Exploring facts about schizophrenia this World Schizophrenia Day.

  • Schizophrenia Impacts The Family In The Long Run

    Schizophrenia Impacts The Family In The Long Run

    Research delves into the long-term ill-impact of schizophrenia on family…

  • Mental Health Days: Why a Single Break Might Not Suffice?

    Mental Health Days: Why a Single Break Might Not Suffice?

    Research delves into the benefits of mental health days.

  • Did You Know Meditation Apps Can Be Bad for Your Health?

    Did You Know Meditation Apps Can Be Bad for Your Health?

    Research delves into the usefulness of meditation apps.

  • Finding Serenity Amidst Chaos: The Crucial Role of Meditation in Today’s Hectic World

    Finding Serenity Amidst Chaos: The Crucial Role of Meditation in Today’s Hectic World

    Research delves into the mental health benefits of meditation.

  • Why Teen Girls Are Considering Suicide In Shocking Numbers?

    Why Teen Girls Are Considering Suicide In Shocking Numbers?

    Research provides insights into the rise in suicidal behavior in…

  • How Cosmetic Surgery Affects Mental Health

    How Cosmetic Surgery Affects Mental Health

    Research delves into the mental health impact of cosmetic surgery.

  • What Netflix’s Sex Education Says About Financial Politics In Friendships

    What Netflix’s Sex Education Says About Financial Politics In Friendships

    Research delves into the intricacies of financial politics in friendships.

  • Debunking Popular Misconceptions About Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

    Debunking Popular Misconceptions About Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

    Understanding the myths and realities of borderline personality disorder.

  • Binge Eating Disorder: Is It Ok To Eat Food To Suppress Uncomfortable Emotions?

    Binge Eating Disorder: Is It Ok To Eat Food To Suppress Uncomfortable Emotions?

    Research explores why everyone who binge eats do not necessarily…

  • Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About His Depression: Why This Mental Health Conversation Matters

    Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About His Depression: Why This Mental Health Conversation Matters

    Dwayne Johnson aka “The Rock” opens about his mental health…

  • What Does Having An Imaginary Friend Says About Children’s Mental Health?

    What Does Having An Imaginary Friend Says About Children’s Mental Health?

    Research explores the mental health implications of having imaginary friends…

  • Community And Mental Health: How Are They Related?

    Community And Mental Health: How Are They Related?

    Research delves on the mental health benefits of community support.