The State of Connection Survey | Connection is Protection by Relationships Australia NSW

CONNECTION IS PROTECTION

THE STATE OF CONNECTION:

Relationships and Mental Health A national survey of 1,012 Australian adults

Research conducted by YouGov for Relationships Australia NSW

2026

About the Research

Relationships Australia NSW commissioned YouGov to explore how relationships and social connection affect Australians’ mental health and wellbeing, how people respond when relationships are under strain, and what kinds of support they may consider.

Research objectives The research sought to: +

understand the prevalence and nature of loneliness and disconnection in Australia

quantify the impact of relationships on mental health and wellbeing

identify which types of relationships are most influential and why

explore how Australians manage relationship challenges and seek support

assess unmet needs and opportunities for relationship support.

Methodology The study was conducted online between 12 and 20 June 2026 with a nationally representative sample of 1,012 Australians aged 18 and over. The research received ethical approval from the Iris Ethics Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), reference S00146, before fieldwork commenced. The HREC operates in accordance with the NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025). Respondents were sourced from the YouGov panel. Following completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates. Significant differences are reported at the 95% confidence interval. The study was conducted in accordance with ISO 20252:2019, to which YouGov is accredited. Figures in this report are rounded to the nearest whole percentage for readability. Due to rounding, percentages may not total 100%, and aggregated results may vary slightly from the sum of reported values. THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

KEY FINDINGS

1. Relationship status in Australia Almost half of Australian adults are married or in a de facto relationship (48%), while three in ten are single (30%). A further 13% are in a relationship, including 8% who are living together and 5% who are not. Five per cent are separated or divorced and 3% are widowed. Relationship status varies considerably by generation: +

Gen Z: Six in ten (59%) are single, while 25% are in a relationship and 14% are married or de facto.

Millennials: Almost two in three (63%) are married or de facto, while 22% are single and 13% are in a relationship.

Gen X: Just over half (52%) are married or de facto, while 30% are single, 9% are separated or divorced and 7% are in a relationship.

Baby Boomers: Just over half (53%) are married or de facto, while 19% are single, 11% are separated or divorced, 9% are in a relationship and 6% are widowed.

Q1: Which of the following best describes your current relationship status? Total

30%

Gen Z Millennials

22%

Gen X Baby Boomers

48%

59%

14%

63%

2% 5%

30% 19%

4% 5%

5% 3% 1%

11%

14%

1% 2%

52%

53%

11%

MARRIED OR DE FACTO

SINGLE (NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP)

IN A RELATIONSHIP (NOT LIVING TOGETHER)

IN A RELATIONSHIP (LIVING TOGETHER)

SEPARATED OR DIVORCED

WIDOWED

PREFER NOT TO SAY

Base: All Australians (n=1,012) THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

2. Loneliness is widespread, particularly among younger Australians Feelings of loneliness and social isolation are widely prevalent. One in six Australians (17%) felt lonely often or very often and 16% felt socially isolated often or very often. +

Almost three in four (73%) experienced feeling lonely at some point in the last month, 72% felt socially isolated.

Loneliness is particularly common among younger Australians. Gen Z (82%) and Millennials (79%) are more likely to report having felt lonely than Gen X (68%) and Baby Boomers (67%). Women (76%) are also more likely than men (70%) to report loneliness.

Social isolation is also particularly prevalent among Gen Z (83%), compared with Millennials (77%), Gen X (70%) and Baby Boomers (61%).

Q2: In the past month, how often have you felt...? Often or very often

17%

Lonely

10%

27%

29%

26%

28%

Often or very often

16%

Socially Isolated

VERY OFTEN

OFTEN

27%

SOMETIMES

28%

RARELY

NEVER

DON’T KNOW/PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

Base: All Australians (n=1,012) THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

3. Relationships benefit our mental health, especially for those who are partnered Half of Australians say their relationships have had a mostly positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing (51%) over the past 12 months. +

Almost a third (31%) report a mixture of positive and negative impacts, while 11% say their relationships have had a mostly negative impact and 5% say they have had no impact.

Men are more likely than women to report a mostly positive impact (56% vs 47%). Women are more likely to report mixed impacts (35% vs 27%) or a mostly negative impact (13% vs 9%).

Relationship status also shows differences. Those who are married or in a de facto relationship (57%) are more likely to report mostly positive impacts than those who are single (42%), separated or divorced (41%).

Q3: Thinking about all your relationships (e.g. partner, family, friends, colleagues), on average, what impact have they had on your mental health and wellbeing over the past 12 months? Negative Impact

Mixed

Total

31%

Female

10%

Male

3% 6%

11%

Positive Impact

31%

51%

24%

35%

27%

20%

28%

VERY NEGATIVE IMPACT

SOMEWHAT NEGATIVE IMPACT

BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS

VERY POSITIVE IMPACT

NO IMPACT

DON’T KNOW/PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

27%

3% 3%

28%

SOMEWHAT POSITIVE IMPACT

Base: All Australians (n=1,012) THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

4. Relationship difficulties are impacting physical and mental health Relationship difficulties reach well beyond the relationship itself, with large majorities of Australians reporting effects on mood (81%), stress or anxiety (78%), energy or fatigue (74%) and sleep (71%) to some degree over the past 12 months. +

The effects also extend into everyday functioning. Australians reported that relationship difficulties affected their concentration (69%), the ability to cope with everyday tasks (64%), and appetite (50%) to some degree in the past 12 months.

For a sizeable group, these impacts are more substantial. Around one in four say relationship difficulties affected their stress or anxiety (26%) quite a bit or a great deal. Almost as many report this level of impact on sleep (23%) and mood (23%), followed by energy or fatigue (21%).

Q4: Please indicate the extent to which, in the past 12 months, relationship stress or difficulty has affected each of the following: Stress or anxiety

10%

16%

Sleep

14%

19%

Mood

15%

23%

Energy or fatigue

13%

Concentration

10%

20%

Ability to cope

10%

20%

Appetite

3% 9%

A GREAT DEAL

22%

30%

28%

QUITE A BIT

29%

35%

22%

14%

22%

19%

32%

26%

34%

31%

29%

23%

36%

50%

A MODERATE AMOUNT

A LITTLE

Substantial Impact

Any Effect

26%

78%

23%

71%

23%

81%

21%

74%

16%

69%

15%

64%

12%

50% NOT AT ALL

Base: All Australians (n=1,012). Substantial impact includes ‘a great deal’ and ‘quite a bit’. Any effect is ‘a great deal’ through to ‘a little’. THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

5. When relationships are going well, we feel the benefits Mental and emotional wellbeing emerge as some of the clearest benefits when relationships are going well. Around six in ten (62%) Australians say they feel less stressed or anxious and 61% feel emotionally supported. +

More than half say they feel more confident in themselves (57%), more connected to others (54%) and safe to be honest and be themselves (52%).

More than a third (36%) say when their relationships are going well they feel they can handle conflict better.

When their relationships are going well, women are more likely than men to say they feel emotionally supported (65% vs 57%), while Gen Z are particularly likely to say they feel safe to be honest and be themselves (63%), compared with 55% of Millennials, 49% of Gen X and 44% of Baby Boomers.

One in twenty (5%) say they have not experienced a relationship working well in the previous 12 months – 11% among single Australians and 14% among those separated or divorced.

Q5: When your relationships are going well, what do you notice? I feel less stressed or anxious

62%

I feel emotionally supported

61%

I feel more confident in myself

57%

I feel more connected to others

54%

I feel safe to be honest and to be myself

52%

I handle conflict better

36%

Don’t know/prefer not to answer

I have not experienced a relationship working well in the past 12 months

Base: All Australians (n=1,012) THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

6. Close friends lead the way in supporting mental health The impact of relationships on mental health varies considerably by relationship type, with close friends and partners or spouses among those most commonly experienced positively. +

Almost three in four Australians with a close friend (73%) say that relationship has had a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing. A similar proportion say the same of their partner or spouse (71%).

Positive impacts are also commonly reported for relationships with children (65%), community networks (59%), mothers (58%), fathers (58%) and mentors (57%).

Close friendships stand out not only for their positive impact, but for relatively low levels of negative impact – just 9% say close friends have had a negative effect on their mental health.

Partners and spouses carry more mixed potential. While 71% report a positive impact, 16% report a negative impact.

Ex-partners are the only relationship type more commonly associated with a negative than positive impact: 35% report a negative impact, compared with 15% reporting a positive impact.

Q6: In the past 12 months, how, if at all, have the following relationships affected your mental health? Negative Impact

Close friend(s)

Positive Impact

Current partner or spouse

16%

Child(ren)

16%

Community network

73% 71% 65%

59%

Mother or mother figure

18%

58%

Father or father figure

16%

58%

Mentor(s)

Colleague(s)

16%

Sibling(s)

16%

Housemate or neighbour(s)

15%

HAD A VERY NEGATIVE IMPACT

55%

19%

Extended family

Ex-partner(s)

57%

35%

54% 47% 45% 15%

HAD A SOMEWHAT NEGATIVE IMPACT

HAD A SOMEWHAT POSITIVE IMPACT

HAD A VERY POSITIVE IMPACT

Base: Among those who had that type of relationship in P12M (n=394-900). Chart does not include responses that indicated ‘no impact’. THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

7. When one relationship matters most, partners stand out When Australians are asked to identify the one relationship that has had the biggest impact on their mental health and wellbeing over the past 12 months, partners and spouses lead the way. +

More than one in three Australians (34%) nominate their spouse or partner, almost three times the proportion who nominate a child (12%), parent (12%) or friend (11%).

The relationships that matter most also vary across life stages, reflecting differences in family, partner and friendship relationships across generations.

Q7: Thinking about the past 12 months, which ONE relationship has had the biggest impact on your mental health and wellbeing? Spouse/partner

34%

Child

12%

Parent

12%

Friend

11%

None/no one

Other

Manager/Colleague

Sibling

Ex-partner

Neighbour/housemate

Extended family

In-laws

Don’t know

Base: All Australians (n=1,012) THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

8. Emotional support is the strongest reason our closest relationships matter More than one in four Australians (26%) say the relationship that had the biggest impact on their mental health mattered because that person provided emotional support and care. This was the leading reason by some margin. +

For some Australians, the impact was negative: 14% say the relationship caused stress or negatively affected their mental health. A further 6% point to abusive, controlling or toxic behaviour, while 4% say conflict and tension.

‘Other’ accounted for 23% of responses, while a range of other listed positive and negative impacts were each cited by between 4% and 7% of Australians, highlighting how varied and individual the impact of relationships can be.

Q8: What has made this relationship have the biggest impact on your mental health? Provides emotional support and care

26%

Causes stress or negatively impacts mental health

14%

Impact of other person’s health or personal issues

Improves their mental health

Abusive, controlling and toxic behaviour

Can talk openly, share and be listened to

Closeness and depth of bond

Being in contact regularly and spending a lot of time together

Makes them feel understood and accepted

Conflict and tension

Companionship and enjoying time spent together

Other

23%

None Don’t know

6% 3%

Base: All Australians (n=1,012) THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

Connection protects wellbeing Australians told us about the relationship that had the biggest impact on their mental health and wellbeing in the past 12 months. These responses reveal how connection can provide stability, belonging, comfort and hope during life’s most challenging moments.

In their words “My wife has the greatest impact. She lights up my life. She makes life worth it.” PARTNER

“My partner and my children always keep me grounded whenever I’m having a bad day. I can turn to my family and they make all my worry disappear.” FAMILY

“My mum makes everything better. Her ability to listen and just offer positive support. Her unconditional love and being there has meant the world to me. I wouldn’t want to exist in this world without her.” MOTHER

“The relationship I have with my younger brother is very important to me. He’s my best friend and we support each other. He makes me feel happy, safe, and cared for.” SIBLING

“My youngest daughter is my most treasured relationship. She affirms me, shares everything with me, makes me laugh and is so down-to-earth. She enriches my life and supports me when I’m struggling.” CHILD

“My precious 24-year-old granddaughter, who lives in Melbourne but is always supportive and keeps in touch with me despite the distance. I am so grateful for her love and constant care.” GRANDCHILD

“The relationship with my dad continues to be a calming influence. I know he’s ageing, and that makes me want to spend more quality time with him. He doesn’t judge; he simply provides unconditional love.” FATHER

“I live in a residential high rise. My husband passed away unexpectedly eight months ago. The community residents here were marvellous. Care, a sense of belonging and always someone there for a chat.” NEIGHBOURS

“My best friend. She has heard me, cried with me and laughed with me.” FRIEND

“My housemate. It has been my first time living with a friend rather than a stranger and has helped me feel less lonely.” HOUSEMATE

Quotes are drawn from participants’ open-ended responses to Questions 7 and 8, which explored the relationship that had the biggest impact on respondents’ mental health and wellbeing in the past 12 months, and the reasons for that impact. Responses have been lightly edited for readability and de-identified where necessary. THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

Relationship strain affects wellbeing Australians also described how their most impactful relationships can be sources of stress, grief, conflict, worry and isolation. These responses highlight the significant effect relationship strain can have on mental health and wellbeing.

In their words “My marriage and not being supported. Being lonely, isolated and having no one to talk to.” SPOUSE

“My husband has dementia. The worry and stress of being his carer has made me anxious and depressed at times.” HUSBAND

“They can be volatile and respond negatively when things go wrong, and I’m stuck with that for most of the day and night, until I have an external event on, or somebody visits.” PARTNER

“I split from 25-year partner a year ago and it has been highly stressful. Sleep deprivation, loss of appetite, financial burden.”

“I have them on my mind all the time just hoping that we can all get together again like we used to. I feel isolated from them as I have no other family.” CHILDREN

“My mother is very demanding and requires a lot of my mental capacity to cope even though I’m in my 40s with children of my own.” MOTHER

“The relationship with my son has affected my health and has involved family violence issues and involvement with police and medical authorities. Providing support and health care for a family member has been tiring mentally and physically for me and never-ending.” CHILD

EX-PARTNER

“When communication is good and stable, I feel more grounded and less anxious, but when there are misunderstandings or distance, it has a noticeable negative impact on my wellbeing.” PARTNER

“Friends who have dropped off the radar. Missing them and feeling unliked.” FRIENDS

“Poorly affecting stress, anxiety, sleep, ability to interact in the community.” NEIGHBOUR

Difficult conversations are easier with some relationships than others Australians feel most confident starting difficult conversations with close friends, with an average confidence score of 6.72 out of 10, followed by siblings (5.83) and a current partner or spouse (5.30). +

Confidence is notably lower with mothers or mother figures (4.73) and fathers or father figures (3.84). This suggests Australians feel more confident raising difficult issues with friends, siblings and partners than with their parents.

Men report greater confidence than women across a number of relationships, including with expartners (2.44 vs 1.87) and fathers or father figures (4.22 vs 3.48).

Q9: How confident are you starting a difficult conversation with each of the following people or groups of people in your life? 0

Not at all confident

Extremely confident

6.72

Close friend(s)

5.83

Sibling(s)

5.30

Current partner or spouse Extended family

4.96

Child(ren)

4.86

Colleague(s)

4.76

Mother or mother figure

4.73

Housemate or neighbour(s)

4.46

Community or acquaintance

4.40 3.84

Father or father figure Mentor(s) Ex-partner(s)

2.81 2.15

Base: All Australians (n=1,012) THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

10. Difficult conversations expose a relationship skills gap Many Australians are entering adulthood without being taught key relationship skills. Only one in three Australians (33%) say they were taught how to handle difficult conversations in relationships while growing up, while 40% say they were not. +

Those reporting a mostly positive impact from their relationships were much more likely to say they had been taught these skills (39%) than those reporting a mostly negative impact (22%) or mixed impacts (27%). While the survey can’t establish cause and effect, the difference points to an important association between relationship skills and how people experience their relationships.

Gen X report the biggest skills gap, with 53% saying they were not taught how to handle difficult conversations, compared with Baby Boomers (40%), Millennials (36%) and Gen Z (32%).

Q10: Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statement: I was taught how to handle difficult conversations in relationships while growing up. Disagree

Agree

40%

Total

19%

Female

Male

STRONGLY DISAGREE

33% 21%

23%

15%

DISAGREE

23%

21%

22%

NEUTRAL

26%

AGREE

STRONGLY AGREE

23%

10%

21%

11%

26%

DON’T KNOW/PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

Base: All Australians (n=1,012) THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

11. Australians tend to seek relationship help late Just 9% say they typically seek help when a relationship first starts to feel strained, compared with almost one in four (24%) who seek support once relationship difficulties begin affecting their mental health. +

A further 17% say they seek help when conflict becomes regular, while 13% wait until the relationship feels close to breaking down.

Almost three in ten (29%) say they don’t seek help at all when experiencing relationship difficulties.

Women are more likely than men to seek help when difficulties begin affecting their mental health (28% vs 20%), while men are more likely to say they don’t seek help (31% vs 26%).

Q11: At what point do you usually seek help for relationship difficulties? Total

29%

24%

Female

26%

28%

Male

31%

20%

17%

13%

18%

17%

14%

13%

10%

I DON’T SEEK HELP

WHEN IT BEGINS AFFECTING MY MENTAL HEALTH

WHEN CONFLICT BECOMES REGULAR

ONLY WHEN THINGS FEEL CLOSE TO BREAKING DOWN

WHEN THINGS FIRST FEEL STRAINED

DON’T KNOW/PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

Base: All Australians (n=1,012) THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

12. People are our first port of call when relationships affect our mental health Over six in ten (61%) Australian adults turn to a partner or family member when relationship stress affects their mental health, with a similar share turning to a friend (58%). People we know are by far the most common source of support. +

More than one in three (36%) do nothing or try to wait it out.

Online and digital channels play a meaningful but secondary role: one in four (25%) use self-help content, 13% use online forums or peer groups, 11% have used an AI chatbot and 7% a mental health or relationship app.

Professional support is used by a meaningful minority: 23% have seen an in-person counsellor or psychologist, the same proportion who have visited a GP in person (23%). A further 11% have used counselling or psychology via telehealth.

Younger adults are markedly more likely to use self-directed and online support: Self-help content is used by 34% of Gen Z and 33% of Millennials, compared with 22% of Gen X and 14% of Baby Boomers. Online forums or peer groups show a similar pattern: 24% of Gen Z, 17% of Millennials, 10% of Gen X and 5% of Baby Boomers.

Q12: When relationship stress affects your mental health, which of the following are you most likely to do? Talk to a partner or family member

61%

Talk to a friend

58%

Do nothing/wait it out

36%

Read or watch self-help content

25%

See a counsellor or psychologist in person

23%

See a GP in person

23%

Join or read online forums/peer groups See a counsellor or psychologist via telehealth Use an AI chatbot Use a mental health app Other Don’t know/prefer not to say

13% 11% 11% 7% 12% 6%

Base: All Australians (n=1,012). Participants could select up to three options. THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

13. Human support receives the strongest helpfulness ratings In-person conversations receive the strongest helpfulness ratings. Around three in four people who turned to a friend (75%) or partner or family member (73%) found that support at least ‘moderately helpful’. Seven in ten (70%) say the same of seeing a counsellor or psychologist in person, with in-person GP visits (65%) close behind. +

Online and digital options are also seen as helpful, but receive lower ratings: 57% of those who used self-help content found it at least ‘moderately helpful’, along with 50% of AI chatbot users, 45% of mental health or relationship app users and 37% of those who used online forums or peer groups.

The difference is less about digital support being rated actively unhelpful than receiving more neutral or ‘a little helpful’ responses. In-person supports are more often rated ‘moderately’ or ‘extremely helpful’, while responses to digital options are more mixed.

Q13: You mentioned using the following supports. How helpful was each? Helpful

Talk to a friend

12%

11%

45%

Talk to a partner or family member

14%

12%

37%

See a counsellor or psychologist in person

19%

See a GP in person

12%

See a counsellor or psychologist via telehealth 3% Self-help content Use an AI chatbot

26% 17%

Use a mental health app Join or read online forums/peer groups

20%

15% A LITTLE HELPFUL

22%

18%

Other NOT HELPFUL AT ALL

39%

20%

75%

30% 35%

73%

32%

70%

40%

25%

65%

44%

21%

65%

42%

16%

57%

27%

37%

13%

50%

33%

13%

45%

10%

37%

23% 8% NEUTRAL/ UNDECIDED

33% 37%

27% 19% MODERATELY HELPFUL

22%

40% EXTREMELY HELPFUL

Base: Australians who indicated using each type of support (base varies by support). Net helpful percentage relates to those who rated ‘moderately helpful’ through to ‘extremely helpful’. THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

14. Speed, availability and anonymity draw Australians to digital support Australians are turning to digital support for more than convenience. While 19% cite faster access and 16% value after-hours availability, many are using digital options as a first step before they feel ready for a conversation with another person. +

An equal share say digital support is emotionally easier than talking to someone they know (16%) or that they weren’t ready to speak to a person (16%), slightly higher than privacy or anonymity (15%).

Emotional barriers also appear important, with 13% citing fear of judgement or shame as a reason for turning to digital support.

Younger Australians were more likely than older generations to turn to digital support before or instead of human support: 66% of Gen Z and 71% of Millennials, compared with 47% of Gen X and 26% of Baby Boomers.

Q14: If you used digital options instead of or before human support, what were your reasons? Faster to access

19%

Easier to access after-hours

16%

Emotionally easier than talking to someone I know I wasn’t ready to speak to a person

16% 16%

Privacy or anonymity

15%

Lower cost

13%

Fear of judgment or shame

13%

Concerns about confidentiality Wait times for human support were too long I didn’t know where to go for in-person support

9% 9% 6%

Accessibility needs

Cultural or family expectations

Previous negative experience with services

Don’t know/prefer not to answer

Other

Base: All Australians (n=1,012). Note: 49% of respondents said this question was not applicable to them and are not shown. Respondents could select multiple reasons, so percentages do not sum to 100%. Percentages are based on all Australians. THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

15. Many Australians would consider relationship support before crisis Almost four in ten Australians (39%) would consider couples counselling as a preventative check-in, while one in three would consider a regular relationship health check tool (34%) or relationship support recommended by their GP (33%). +

Other preventative options also attract interest, including online courses or programs (24%), peer support (23%), workplace-based support (20%) and relationship education workshops (20%).

Almost one in three (32%) selected ‘don’t know/prefer not to answer’, suggesting a sizeable group do not express a clear preference for any of the preventative options presented.

Q15: If accessible and affordable, which of the following would you consider using to strengthen your relationships before they reach crisis? Couples counselling as a preventative check-in

39%

Relationship health check tool

34%

GP-recommended relationship support

33%

Short online relationship courses

24%

Peer support groups

23%

Relationship support integrated into workplace wellbeing programs

20%

Workshops or webinars

20%

Other

12%

Don’t know/prefer not to answer

32%

Base: All Australians (n=1,012). Participants could choose up to three options. THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

16. Tiredness, cost of living and mental health make connection harder Tiredness and low energy are the most common barriers to staying connected, affecting more than four in ten Australians (42%). Cost-of-living pressures (39%) and feeling down, anxious or not in the right headspace (37%) follow closely behind. +

Time and caring pressures also make connection harder: almost one in four (23%) point to long work hours or being too busy, while 22% cite caring responsibilities.

One in four (25%) say loneliness or feeling they have no one to reach out to makes staying connected more difficult, highlighting how disconnection itself can become a barrier to connection.

Women report a greater overall burden of pressures on connection: 85% identify at least one pressure, compared with 76% of men. Women are more likely to cite low energy (47% vs 37%), cost-ofliving pressures (45% vs 32%), feeling down or anxious (41% vs 32%) and caring responsibilities (25% vs 18%).

Loneliness and not knowing how to connect are more common among younger Australians. 36% of Gen Z report feeling lonely or like they don’t have people to reach out to, while 29% report not knowing how to connect with others, compared with substantially lower rates among older generations.

Q16: In the past 12 months, which pressures have made it harder for you to feel connected to others? Feeling tired or low energy Cost of living pressures

32%

Feeling lonely or like I don’t have people to reach out to

22%

Long work hours or feeling too busy

23% 22%

Caring responsibilities (children, family members)

18%

Feeling overwhelmed by phones, messages, or social media

17% 16%

Worry about rent/mortgage or finding a place to live

16% 15% 17%

Not knowing how to connect

16% 16% 15%

47% 39%

32%

Feeling down, anxious, or not in the right headspace

45% 37% 41%

25% 27% 25%

22% 25%

19%

13% 12% 14%

Living alone Relationship breakdown or separation Other

42%

37%

11% 11% 12% 3% 3% 4%

TOTAL MALE FEMALE

Base: All Australians (n=1,012). Above results exclude 2% of the total who selected ‘prefer not to say’ and 19% who selected ‘not applicable’. THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

17. Digital distraction is common and hits younger Australians hardest Australians report digital devices as a widespread barrier to meaningful, uninterrupted connection, with more than four in five (82%) saying time on phones or devices has at some point (very often to rarely) got in the way of meaningful time with people in their lives. For most, this is occasional, but almost one in five (18%) say it happens often or very often. +

Only one in six (16%) say devices never get in the way, with older generations more likely to say this than younger Australians.

Frequent disruption is more common among women and younger Australians. Women are more likely than men to say devices get in the way often or very often (22% vs 14%). Gen Z (28%) and Millennials (24%) also report considerably higher levels of frequent interruption than Gen X (14%) and Baby Boomers (10%).

Digital disruption is also more common among Australians experiencing loneliness. More than one in four (26%) of those who report feeling lonely at least some time in the past month say digital devices often or very often get in the way of meaningful connection.

Q17: How often does time spent on phones or digital devices get in the way of meaningful, uninterrupted time with people in your life? Often or Very Often

Total

Gen Z

Millennial

Gen X

12%

20%

48%

38%

24%

OFTEN

18%

5% 5%

28%

16%

18% 3%

24%

26%

43%

17%

Baby 4% 6% Boomers VERY OFTEN

38%

16%

31%

16%

37%

SOMETIMES

RARELY

28%

NEVER

2% 14%

2% 10%

DON’T KNOW/PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

Base: All Australians (n=1,012) THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

18. Access and affordability stand out as priorities for improving relationship support When asked what they would change about relationship support, easier access (9%) and greater affordability (7%) were the most common suggestions among Australians who identified a specific change. +

Reducing the stigma associated with seeking support (5%) and teaching young people relationship skills and coping strategies (5%) were the next most common suggestions.

More than half of Australians (55%) did not identify a specific change. Men (59%) and Gen Z (61%) were particularly likely to say they didn’t know.

As this was an open-ended, unprompted question, the high proportion who did not nominate a change may reflect the difficulty of identifying a single improvement without being presented with options, rather than an absence of views about relationship support.

Q18: If you could change one thing about how support is offered for relationship difficulties, what would it be? Making support services more easily accessible

Making support more affordable

Reducing stigma associated with seeking support

Teaching young people skills and coping strategies

Better quality/more experienced counsellors

Offering free government funded support

Support beyond romantic relationships

More awareness of how and where to get support

Community/peer/family support

Other

Prefer to not change anything Nothing in particular

3% 2%

Base: All Australians (n=1,012). Responses were open-ended and coded into themes. Percentages represent unprompted mentions. The above graph captures respondents who suggested changes. It excludes the 55% of respondents who said ‘don’t know’, as well as changes that ranked below 1%. THE STATE OF CONNECTION | Relationships Australia NSW

For more information about this research, contact: communications@ransw.org.au relationshipsnsw.org.au/connection