Relationships Indicator Survey 2011

2011 Survey Results

This year’s survey gathered results, comprising of 1,204 interviews among the general Australian population aged 18 and above.
The 2011 research focused on the following areas: connection with significant people in the lives of Australians; partnering and marriage; sexual relationships; finances and its impact on partner relationships; social networking and relationships; community involvement; loneliness; and accessing help.

Key Themes

Loneliness and Technology Usage:

• 42 percent Australians who use an average of four methods of technology feel lonely, compared to 11 percent of those who use one form of technology.
• 67 percent of respondents who said they frequently feel lonely regularly use SMS as a method of communicating with friends, family and/or a potential partner.64 percent of those who said they frequently feel lonely regularly use email as a method of communicating with friends, family and/or a potential partner.
• Those aged 25 to 34 were most likely to frequently feel lonely (27 percent), with those aged 35 to 39 least likely (6 percent). Interestingly, SMS (76 percent) and email (72 percent) are the top two forms of technology used by those aged 25 to 34.

Relationship Breakdown:

• Financial stress (26 percent), communication difficulties (25 percent), different expectations/values (23
• percent) and lack of trust (22 percent) were identified as the four main reasons for relationship breakdowns.

Seeking Professional Help:

• 77 percent of respondents cited that they have not sought professional help for relationship issues.
• 35 percent of respondents cited talking to friends as the most common way for people to get through low points in relationships, with women more likely to talk to friends (43 percent) than men (28 percent).
• 45 percent of Australians 18 to 24 said friends have helped them through low points in relationships, compared to 10 percent who said their spouse or partner.
• 39 percent of Australians 25 to 34 said friends have helped them through low points in their relationships, with only 21 percent citing their spouse or partner.
• 86 percent of Australians 18 to 24 said they have not sought help for relationship issues, followed by those aged 25 to 34 (82 percent).