Researchers have developed a new model to expand our understanding of how people respond to stress. The 'fight or flight' theory has been the domiant model for explaining stress responses was derived from research based on the reactions of men only. When women were added to the research sample a new reaction was discovered. The first new model to describe people's stress response patterns in more than 60 years is called "tend-and-befriend". It proposes that women generally respond to stressful situations by protecting themselves and their young through nurturing behaviors--the "tend" part of the model--and forming alliances with a larger social group, particularly among women--the "befriend" part of the model. In contrast, the researchers suggest, men generally stick more to the fight-or-flight response. As we all have male and female aspects to our psyche there will be times when we want to fight or flee and there will be times when we prefer to tend or mend relationships.
Azar, B. (2000) 'A new stress paradigm for women', Monitor, vol.31 no.7 http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug00/stress.html
An interesting idea "fight or flight" versus "tend and mend".... Could it be the important difference comes - when women are part of the survey - if they are "protecting themselves and their young through nurturing behaviors" because flight is more difficult with young in tow....For stability it's easier to compromise. Single women have more choice in that respect.
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