Young people struggling to emotionally support their partner during lockdown
More than a third of people aged 16 to 34 have struggled to emotionally support their partner through lockdown, new research suggests.
A study conducted by the relationships charity Relate found that out of 2,058 UK adults, many have experienced relationship difficulties during the pandemic.
More than one in four (28 per cent) of 16-34-year-olds said that they are anxious about how their relationship will change when lockdown comes to an end, compared to 17 per cent across all age groups.
Meanwhile, nearly a third of respondents aged 16-34 reported feeling worried they will feel lonely if or when their partner stops working from home. Additionally, more than a fifth (23 per cent) said they were worried that jealousy will become an issue in their relationship again when lockdown ends.
However, for some people, lockdown has resulted in more positive realisations about their relationships. For example, one in 10 respondents across all age groups said that lockdown has helped them to realise they want to propose to their partner.
The pandemic seems to have had a positive impact on men, too, with 41 per cent of male respondents in Relate’s survey reporting that they have become more comfortable having honest and open conversations with loved ones about difficult topics, while 35 per cent of women said the same.
Lockdown has also had a positive impact on relationships with friends and family members. Almost half those surveyed (45 per cent) said they felt emotionally closer to their parents while 41 per cent said they have realised how much their parents mean to them in lockdown.
The survey was conducted to mark the start of Relate’s Relationships Week, which is encouraging people to share a picture or video on social media dedicated to someone who has been a “rock” to them during lockdown using the hashtag #RelationshipRocks.
Aidan Jones, Relate’s chief executive, commented: “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.”
Mr Jones added that relationships are in the spotlight now more than ever. “This Relationships Week, we want to help everyone 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.”