More recession-hit couples are turning to counselling in a bid to save their marriages, it emerged today.
Accord, the Catholic marriage care service, has recorded a 40 per cent increase in families facing crippling financial problems over the past two years.
It revealed while fewer than four out of 100 clients were unemployed in 2007, the figure rose to 7.5 per cent at the start of the year, and jumped to 11.5 per cent among men.
John Farrelly, director of counselling with Accord, said the context of financial stress has changed with the recession, quickly and deeply affecting marriage and family.
“Financial problems have always increased stress on marriage and relationships,” said Mr Farrelly.
“Previously, couples worried and argued about keeping up with the demands of the so-called Celtic Tiger economy. Issues such as who was in charge of finances in a two-income family were to the fore.
“However, in 2008, and particularly in the first quarter of 2009, among the challenges now facing couples is how the family’s childcare and mortgage costs are to be met.
“Increasing stress brought about by reduced income through wage cuts, higher taxation and the possibility of unemployment are also a cause for concern as this raises the spectre of the repossession of the family home.”
Last year, Accord provided more than 30,000 counselling sessions throughout Ireland.
More than half of people who attended were married, 13 per cent lived together, 10 per cent were separated or divorced and 6 per cent were single.
Other common problems cited by clients included partners being critical of one another, insulting and not listening (42 per cent); sexual and intimacy issues (26 per cent); depression (16 per cent); problems with extended family (15 per cent); infidelity (14 per cent); dissatisfaction with task sharing in the home, particularly childcare and housework (12 per cent); and alcohol and drugs (10 per cent).
PA