New Study Reveals That Men Are At Risk Of Mental Illness During The Deterioration Of Romantic Relationships
Both men and women experience heartache following a break-up. Still, popular culture tends only to show the woman’s side of the suffering.
Movies and television shows depict women holed up in bed, crying, and eating ice cream from the tub.
But, what about how men feel?
A new study conducted by the University of British Columbia highlights this disparity and found that while men adjust to a relationship’s breakdown, they are more likely to suffer from mental illness– including depression, anxiety, and even suicide.
The study included forty-seven men who were interviewed regarding their relationship experiences.
The study discusses how men are more likely to downplay problems, thus causing further problems in the relationship.
Dr. John Oliffe, the study’s lead author, said, “Stereotyped masculinity plays a role in how men react to a broken relationship.”
“For example, men’s uncertainty for how to articulate and problem-solve in the relationship context resulted in many men isolating themselves rather than reaching out for help.”
“Most men in the study were battling with transitions in the partnership– including bereavement, parenting, or infidelity– and their primary goal was to avoid conflict.”
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The study also found that men are unfortunately likely to use substance-coping mechanisms to deal with feelings of sadness, guilt, shame, regret, and anger.
Conversely, following the final break-up of the relationship, the participants did seek out resources for their mental health.
Gabriela Montaner, the project’s leader and a co-author of the study, described how these help-seeking efforts included solitary activities such as exercising, reading, and general self-care, while other men used social support groups or sought out therapy.
“We need to re-conceptualize men’s mental health promotion as legitimately including self-help, informal resources, and male peer group services in addition to professional services,” Montaner added.
And Dr. Oliffe believes the actual problem lies in divorce and separation being historically treated only as a data point in assessing mental illness risk factors.
Instead, Dr. Oliffe thinks this study’s findings point to a need for assisting men in building better relationships– rather than just crisis intervention afterward.
To read the complete scientific study, visit the link here.
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