Study Reveals Men Experience Greater Social Isolation from Psychological Distress
A 14-year study using data from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study has found that psychological distress leads to a greater reduction in perceived social support among men compared to women. The research, published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, highlights that while both men and women experience a bidirectional relationship between social support and psychological distress, the impact is more pronounced in men. This suggests that men’s psychological distress more strongly diminishes their perception of social support, potentially due to traditional gender norms that discourage men from seeking help. The study analyzed responses from over 75,000 participants, focusing on perceived social support and psychological distress, and found that older, New Zealand European, and heterosexual men were most affected. 
