Research reveals South East's lockdown 'relationship realisations'

New research released by charity Relate has revealed what people think of their relationships as lockdown is eased.
Relate survey resultsRelate survey results
Relate survey results

Relate is the leading relationships charity, it found that across couple, family and social relationships people have had a range of 'relationship realisations'.

The poll of 2,058 UK adults found that more than half (58 per cent) of respondents in the South East said their relationships with loved ones have helped them get through lockdown.

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While 64 per cent said that lockdown has made them realise relationships are the most important thing in their lives and more than a third who have parents (37 per cent) feel emotionally closer to them.

Just under a quarter (24 per cent) of respondents living in the South East who have a partner have struggled to support their partner emotionally during this time and five per cent noted that lockdown made them realised they need to end the relationship.

Charity Relate is launching its first ever Relationships Week from July 20 until 26 and Relate North and South West Sussex is asking people to share their #RelationshipRocks via social media – with a picture or video and a short message about how someone has been a ‘rock’ to them lately.

Relate North & South West Sussex is a local charity which has centres in Chichester, Horsham, Crawley and East Grinstead and is a member of the Relate Federation. It gives support and counselling to young people from the age of 11 up, families, individuals and couples.

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Lisa Phillips, the manager of Relate North and South West Sussex said: “Most of us can’t remember a sustained period of pressure on every aspect of life on such a scale. Relationships are central to health and wellbeing and we want to raise awareness of their power to protect and sustain us in the worst of times. Relationships are now in the spotlight more than ever so we want to grasp this opportunity to encourage everyone to talk about them more openly – the good, the bad and the ugly. We’re calling on people in Crawley, East Grinstead, Horsham, Chichester and surrounding areas to join in the conversation.”

More than one in eight in the region (14per cent) were anxious about how their relationship with their partner will change when lockdown ends, compared to 17 per cent across the rest of the UK. Of respondents in a relationship living in the South East, 8 per cent said lockdown has made them realise they want to propose to their partner, while 5 per cent came to the conclusion during lockdown that they need to end their relationship.

While we may have been practising social distancing during lockdown, many have realised their emotional bonds with loved ones have strengthened. For example, more than a third

(37 per cent) of respondents in the South East who have parents said they felt ‘emotionally closer’ to them as a result of lockdown. This compared to a UK average of 43 per cent. Across the South East the most common reasons for feeling emotionally closer to parents were speaking to them more often (47 per cent) and because lockdown has helped them realise how

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much their parents mean to them (47 per cent), followed by because they have been supporting their parents through lockdown (35 per cent).

Despite this, almost a quarter (23 per cent) of respondents in the South East who have parents have argued or had a disagreement with them during lockdown. For those who had

disagreements with their parents during lockdown, the most common reasons were because they have been living together during lockdown which has caused tension (33 per cent),

followed by concerns about catching the virus (23 per cent) and concerns about parents not taking the virus seriously (22 per cent).

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Looking at other relationships in the South East, 32 per cent of respondents living in this region who have a sibling felt emotionally closer to their siblings since lockdown, 29 per cent of

respondents in the South East felt closer to their neighbours and 28% felt closer to their friends.

Lockdown has made many people experience first-hand the benefits of quality time. More than half of respondents in the South East (52 per cent) agreed that the experience has inspired

them to make more effort with loved ones in the future.

When asked exactly what lockdown relationship habits people would like to continue with in the future, family walks/ spending time outdoors came in top (32 per cent) alongside video calls with family (32 per cent) followed by spending more quality time with family (29 per cent).

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Lisa Phillips, concluded: “This Relationships Week, we want to help everyone in North and South West Sussex celebrate the best of their lockdown relationship realisations and address the more difficult ones. We have a unique opportunity here – the role of relationships is clearly front-of-mind for many. I’m encouraging everyone to start a conversation about their relationships this week, whether it’s to thank someone for their support during lockdown or to begin addressing issues that have been swept under the carpet in recent months.”

Relate is offering a free course on communicating more effectively; tips for dealing with social anxiety and a range of other issues as lockdown eases; and online counselling, sex therapy and mediation sessions.

For more information about counselling please ring 07423 147915 or e-mail [email protected]

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