Boys Do Cry: Influences of Masculinity & Avoidant-Attachment Style on Post-Romantic Breakup Emotional Distress

Abstract

Abstract This investigation sought to explore the effects of gender and attachment style on intensity of emotional distress following a romantic breakup, and to challenge the substantiated notion that avoidant men experience significantly less emotional distress than all other people including avoidant women. Of 488 individuals who had previously disbanded from a romantic partner, the results of the study showed that avoidant men do not experience significantly less emotional distress than avoidant women. Gender does not have a significant effect on levels of emotional distress, even when participants share similar levels of anxiety and avoidance. Furthermore, results showed a significant positive correlation between anxious-attachment style and level of emotional distress. No such correlation was shown for attachment-avoidance. Discussion focuses on possible reasons for a newfound lack of gender difference among avoidantly-attached individuals, emotionality in relation to societal gender norms, and the role of attachment in romantic relationship breakups.