The 2011 Relationships Indicators Survey provides an opportunity to increase our understanding of relationships in Australia – intimate relationships, family relationships and connection with community.  The overall objective of the research is to provide a statistically sound representative sample of feelings, attitudes and opinions about relationships within the Australian population.

This is the 7th Relationships Indicators Survey undertaken by Relationships Australia and is sponsored by CUA.

One of the key findings from the 2011 research was that more than 40 percent of Australians who use an average of four methods of technology to communicate with their friends or family feel lonely, compared to 11 percent of those who use one form of technology.

The survey results also revealed the most common reasons for relationship breakdowns in Australia, with ‘financial stress’ being the leading cause (26 percent), followed by ‘communication difficulties’ (25 percent), ‘different expectations/values’ (23 percent) and ‘lack of trust’ (22 percent).

The 2011 Relationships Indicators Survey was a joint initiative of Relationships Australia and CUA based on data collected, analysed and reported by Woolcott Research Limited. Woolcott gathered results, comprising 1,204 interviews among the general population aged 18 and above. The 2011 survey combined telephone interviews and a new online component. Fieldwork was conducted between 27 February and 8 March 2011.

About CUA

CUA, Australia’s largest customer-owned financial institution, is emerging as a competitive force in Australian banking.  CUA provides banking products and services to more than 400,000 Australians across the country and is 100 per cent owned by its customers, not shareholders, with profits reinvested back into its business. CUA has a comprehensive Community Investment Program that is executed nationally through a combination of major national partnerships and locally focused activity.

CUA is a community partner of Relationships Australia. For further information visit www.cua.com.au.