Web use 'dividing couples'

Financial pressures are leading more couples to seek counselling, according to new statistics published today.

Accord, the Catholic marriage care service, also said that problems around internet usage and the amount of time that people stay online is causing difficulties in relationships.

The number of Accord clients identifying finances as a problem affecting their marriages rose from just 20 per cent for the whole of 2007 to 31 per cent for the first six months of 2009.

Last year, 25 per cent of clients cited financial difficulties as an issue affecting relationships.

"The recession continues to affect marriage and family, as people feel they are beginning to lose control of their lives. In the counselling rooms couples are coming to understand that their ability to care for each other and their family is the most important thing in their lives," said John Farrelly, director of counselling with Accord.

Other common problems cited by clients include communication and conflict, sexual and intimacy issues, depression and infidelity.

During 2009, marital difficulties related to internet usage grew substantially, according to the service.

While this issue has been recorded by Accord in the past, it said today that the problem has now become statistically significant, with 7 per cent of clients citing it as their primary relationship problem in the first half of 2009.

"The key areas which are causing conflict are internet gambling, infidelity and one partner spending too much time online rather than with their spouse and family," said Mr Farrelly.

"The seeming lack of regulation, particularly in terms of gambling on the internet, can make it easy for vulnerable people to become addicted.

"The media image created by the gambling industry is that internet gambling is engaged in by smart, competent card sharks who pit their wits against each other; however the reality in the counselling room is of a marriages scourged by addiction, mistrust and major financial loss," he added.

The statistics have been compiled from data on over 25,000 clients who attended counselling sessions in 2007, 2008 and the first half of this year.

According to the service, over 30,000 counselling sessions were provided in 2008.