Ladies, let your partners go out for a beer
Research on macaques has shown that males handle stress much better when accompanied by other males than their female partners or offspring.
Social relationships have a very positive influence on our health. This effect has been observed not only in humans, but also in various animals. It has been shown that the presence of our loved ones or friends could suppress negative effects of physiological stress during stressful events.
Science mainly looks at the relationships between mother and child, or between romantic partners. The research is predominantly aimed at females, as their behaviour could affect the health of their offspring. The reason behind preferring females during these studies is pretty simple- oxytocin.
The mechanism of stress reactions is partly regulated by this hormone, which works differently in each gender. For instance, females under stress tend to look for support, whereas males do not.
Macaques and humans
Males of Barbary macaques form stable social relationships between each other, which usually last for about two years- just like in humans.
Now humans would probably show these strong bonds by sharing information, having fun together, drinking and watching sports; macaques’ social bonds are usually shown by picking fur for insects and flies and sitting very close to each other. But since they often fight for female attention and the alpha position, research of their relationships was not well studied.
This was changed thanks to the research team lead by Christopher Young from the Courant Research Centre Evolution of Social Behaviour in Göttingen, Germany. They have published a study in the journal PNAS, which examined the influence of various social bonds on the stress level in male macaques.
Less stress between males
The apes were exposed to two types of stresses- decrease of the outer temperature, or aggressivity from other males. Afterwards, the researchers measured the level of glucocorticoids, stress hormones, in their faeces.
They found out that the stress hormone levels soared when male macaques were with their family members or partner immediately after the initial stress impulse. If, however, they spent some time only with their fellow males, their anxiety dropped.
Even humans — men or women — turn to their beloved ones and friends when experiencing stress. Most of us have three to five people to ask for help and support. This peculiar characteristic is very common in other apes too. For instance, female primates missing this behavioural trait showed higher mortality of themselves and their offspring.
So what can we take from this research?
The message is clear at least for women- it is OK if your partner goes out alone once or twice a week and spends time with their male friends. And especially if your partner- or also yourself- is a scientist. In order to decrease their stress levels they might simply need to be surrounded by male company from time to time, just like macaques.
Available from doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.06.007, 10.1073/pnas.1411450111.
Original article (published in Slovak): https://dennikn.sk/72962/damy-pustite-svojich-chlapov-na-pivo-prospeje-im/
