Study reveals breakups are more painful for men than women.

Recent celebrity breakups, from Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague to Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, have captured attention, but a new study suggests that these breakups may have been more emotionally challenging for the men involved than their female counterparts.

Researchers from Humboldt University of Berlin have found that, contrary to popular belief, breakups are actually harder for men. Their study, which analyzed over 50 previous studies on gender differences in heterosexual relationships, revealed that men are less likely to initiate breakups and more likely to experience loneliness afterward. They also struggle to see the positive side of a split, with steady relationships being more psychologically significant for men than women.

Iris Wahring, who led the study, explained that men are more emotionally dependent on their partners, making steady relationships crucial for their psychological well-being. In contrast, popular culture often assumes that romantic relationships are more important for women than for men.

The study found that men are often more focused on entering steady relationships and that their health, well-being, and even life expectancy benefit more from these relationships than women’s. Social norms also play a role, with men tending to have fewer emotional support networks, which can lead to more significant challenges after a breakup.

Paul van Lange, co-author of the study, highlighted how social norms have shaped emotional expression, with girls being more encouraged to share emotions and vulnerabilities than boys. As a result, men often lack the social contacts that could help them cope after a breakup, leading to potential long-term consequences for their health.

The researchers hope their findings encourage both men and women to lean on their wider social circles for support, with an emphasis on developing more open emotional expression in both genders. They concluded that emotional intimacy and support are vital for positive personal and interpersonal outcomes, and a shift towards less gender-specific roles could help men express their emotions more openly, fulfilling their needs for intimacy and support.