A Canadian study found that men's displays of defensiveness serve as a stress reliever, while in women, defensiveness proves stressful.

At the Montreal Heart Institute, 81 men and 118 women aged 20 to 64 completed stressful tasks while their shows of defensiveness and stress levels were monitored. Psychologists described displays of defensiveness as avoiding, denying or repressing information one perceives as threatening. Each participant's heart rate and blood pressure were monitored, as well as the stress hormone salivary cortisol.

Psychologist and principal investigator Bianca D'Antono explained that men view being defensive as being assertive.

From the MSNBC.com article about the study:

"There appear to be gender differences in how people communicate and handle conflict," says D'Antono. "Men are typically more comfortable with getting their points across and standing up for themselves in a more assertive manner. Women tend to perceive assertiveness as aggressiveness, and use this means of communication less often."

D'Antono also offers stress relief tips:

• Find a stress reliever that works for you, whether it's exercise, a relaxation technique, meditation, yoga or tai chi
• Analyze and, if need be, modify behavioral tendencies -- do you communicate passively, assertively or aggressively with others, and how does that affect your relationships?