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Episode 2699:

Dr. Dylan Selterman examines whether women with more male friends than female friends enjoy better mental health, finding no direct evidence to support that idea. Research reveals both the benefits and challenges of cross-sex friendships, from unique perspectives and support to risks like co-rumination, social stigma, and higher antisocial behavior in certain contexts.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.luvze.com/cross-sex-friendships-hazardous-to-your-mental-health/

Quotes to ponder:

"It is possible then that females are simply more inclined to co-ruminate in a variety of relationships, whereas males may only significantly increase their co-ruminating behaviors when their closest confidant is a female friend."

"Some research suggests that when women have a higher proportion of male friends, this can be problematic, although it is not clear that having lots of male friends causes any psychological dysfunction in females."

"Even expression and communication may have a sweet spot in which too much causes more pain."

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