Romantic relationships are more important for men than for women
Analysis of more than 50 studies reveals unexpected gender differences
Most of us probably assume that romantic relationships are more important for women than for men. In any case, romantic relationships are a much more popular topic in women's magazines than in magazines aimed at men. And in films, single women tend to be portrayed as pitiful and seem to be more motivated to fall in love than single men. But is this also the case in reality? Are steady relationships really more important for women?
Analysis of research literature refutes gender stereotypes
Iris Wahring, research associate at the Institute of Psychology at Humboldt University (HU), Jeffry Simpson from the University of Minnesota and Paul van Lange from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have brought together and analysed findings from more than 50 scientific studies on gender differences in heterosexual relationships. This combination enabled them to gain some surprising and unexpected insights.
“Men apparently tend to be more focused on entering into steady relationships. Moreover, the well-being and health of men benefit more from such relationships than women. Even the life expectancy of men is more strongly associated with being in a steady relationship than that of women,” says Iris Wahring, lead author of the study. In addition, the authors found that men are less likely than women to initiate a break-up when in a steady relationship, they are more likely to experience loneliness after a break-up and are less likely to see the positive side of the break-up.
For their study, which was recently published in the renowned journal Behavioural and Brain Sciences, the researchers analysed the findings from more than 50 psychological and sociological studies – most of them published within the last 20 years – and brought them together in a model that takes gender differences in different phases of relationships into account. Until now, such a model was lacking, although the gender-specific connection between relationships and health, for example, is itself well documented.
“Steady relationships are psychologically more important for men than for women”
In their theoretical model the researchers provide various explanatory approaches for their findings. In their view, the most significant explanation is emotional needs: “We know from numerous studies that women typically receive more emotional support from their social environment than men. Therefore, heterosexual men are more dependent on their partners to fulfil their emotional needs than heterosexual women. In short, steady relationships are psychologically more important for men than for women,” explains Iris Wahring.
Friendships play a key role in health and well-being
The research findings are significant for our understanding of health and of the key role of relationships and friendships. “Social norms are influential for women sharing emotions with others more often and supporting each other more strongly than men do. Even young children experience these norms, according to which it is much more common and appropriate for girls than for boys to share emotions and vulnerabilities,” says co-author Paul van Lange. Without a partner, men therefore often lack social contacts, i.e. people they can open up to and who support them emotionally. This can have far-reaching consequences for health and well-being.
The study is based exclusively on findings on heterosexual relationships, mostly in Western industrialised countries. “Future studies will have to answer the gender-specific differences between men and women in homosexual relationships or in other cultures,” says van Lange.
Publication:
Contact
Iris Wahring
Department of Psychology
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
+49 30 2093-4917
iris.wahring(at)hu-berlin.de
www.psychology.hu-berlin.de
HU press release, 06 January 2025