Technology in the home is being cited as one of the factors to blame by couples seeking marriage counselling, according to Accord, the Catholic marriage advisory and counselling service.
The fastest-growing area of difficulty for couples is the amount of time being spent on the internet while 28 per cent of couples cited texting as a problem in the relationship, according to figures compiled last year by Accord.
There was a 12 per cent increase in demand for Accord’s counselling services last year. It says Irish families are under intense pressure because of unemployment, mortgage difficulties, increased taxation and rising fuel costs and that it is essential support is available to those who need it. The figures show an increase of 10 per cent in the numbers experiencing financial difficulties, which affects 65 per cent of those who go to Accord for counselling.
Domestic violence counselling continues to be a priority area of support for the agency and a new programme for working with perpetrators and victims of domestic violence counselling is nearing completion.