Research taken up among couples, conducted in collaboration with the OU shows nearly two thirds do not talk about their relationship – with anyone.
The polling (*) was carried out in collaboration with the OU’s Professor Jacqui Gabb to coincide with the launch of Paired – an app for couples to engage in relationship matters.
The poll results showed six in ten (62%) UK adults who are currently in a relationship admit they do not speak to anyone for relationship advice.
In further poll insight, it revealed a generational divide between those who open up about their relationship and those who do not. A startling eight in 10 (80%) of those over 55 said they would not go to anyone for relationship advice, compared with two-thirds (66%) of those between 45-54 and only 3 in 10 (27%) of 18-24 year-olds.
App is informed by research
The YouGov survey was commissioned by the Open University and Paired and taken up online in July among 2,011 adults with 1,348 of those in a relationship.
The app has been particularly informed by the research of Professor Gabb and findings of the Enduring Love? study. Professor Gabb has been appointed as Chief Relationships Officer at Paired to lead on research and media communications.
Professor Gabb, is working with Paired on the new app, which is the first relationship app with advice from leading experts which are all qualified clinical psychotherapists or academics. It is for same-sex and heterosexual couples.
It combines audio courses from clinical psychotherapists and academics with fun daily questions and quizzes with the aim of helping people to take small, positive steps to improve their relationship each day.
Professor Jacqui Gabb said:
“Communication is absolutely key when it comes to successful relationships. I have studied long-term couple relationships for years and I cannot stress enough how important it is to simply talk, to discuss feelings and not to brush issues under the carpet and let them fester – that is how small problems become huge points of contention.
“Couples’ relationships are just like any other relationship, you have to put the time, energy and effort into them otherwise they simply won’t survive.”
Results from the Enduring Love? study have already achieved significant reach outside the academy via extensive national and international media engagement with study findings, alongside the publication of a self-help book, The Secrets of Enduring Love.
The partnership with Paired means that it is possible to utilise findings to accomplish significant impact by achieving population-level behavioural change.
Paired is free to download here from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, with a monthly or annual subscription required to access the full range of courses.
- Poll: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,011 adults with 1,348 of those in a relationship. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th – 30th July 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
