Why is social connectedness considered protective against suicide in men?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When evaluating why social connectedness may protect against suicide in men, several possibilities must be weighed.
Option a: It buffers against stress and challenges isolation norms. This is accurate because social ties can provide emotional support, practical help, and social integration, which reduce perceived stress and counter the social expectation for men to handle distress alone. The buffering effect arises from access to resources, validation, and coping assistance within relationships, which lowers risk.
Option b: It lowers testosterone and impulsivity. This is not supported by evidence; social connectedness does not directly cause sustained reductions in testosterone or impulsivity as a protective mechanism against suicide. While hormones can influence mood and behavior, the claim here is oversimplified and not a primary explanation.
Option c: It’s a short-term distraction from distress. While social interactions can momentarily distract someone from distress, protection against suicide requires enduring support and addressing underlying issues, not mere distraction. This makes the statement incomplete as a protective mechanism.
Option d: It replaces therapy with peer communication. Social connections can complement care, but they do not replace formal therapy or clinical treatment when it's needed. Relying on peer communication alone is insufficient and could miss addressing underlying mental health concerns.
In summary, the strongest, evidence-based rationale among the options is that social connectedness buffers stress and helps challenge isolation norms, providing ongoing support rather than a temporary distraction or a replacement for professional care.

PSY2014 S2 2025 AT1: Test series (Quiz 3)

Why is social connectedness considered protective against suicide in men?

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