Zayn Malik Quit One Direction Tour

One Direction fans were shocked when it was announced that Zayn Malik was taking a break from the band's current tour due to stress, but no one is more worried about the British singer than his family, a source tells PEOPLE. 

"Zayn is exhausted and just needs a break," the source says. "Out of everyone of the boys, he's the one who struggles dealing with being in the spotlight the most. He can't cope with the level of scrutiny he gets put under. He's just 22." 

The band's rep said in a statementThursday that Malik had "been signed off with stress and is flying back to the U.K. to recuperate," just hours after he sat down with his management and the band to tell them of his decision, according to the source, who adds, "He's going to stay with family in England who are really concerned." 

The breaking point for Malik came on Wednesday when reports surfaced that he was cheating on his fiancée.