Household composition, couples’ relationship quality, and social support during lockdown

While the majority of respondents reported that their household composition
had remained stable, any reported change in living arrangements differed
substantially across the cohorts. About two-fifths of 19-year-olds, who were
living independently of their parents prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, moved in
with their parents (or parents-in-law).
• Nearly one-fifth of the youngest generation reported more conflict with people
around them since the outbreak whereas the vast majority (90% or more) of
the older generations reported either no change or less conflict. A change in
household composition appeared to be related to raised levels of conflict.
• The age 19 cohort was the least likely to be in a romantic relationship and if
they were, they had the lowest relationship satisfaction.
• The youngest generations, those from the age 30 and age 19 cohorts, had the
highest frequency of reporting more arguments with their partner since before
the pandemic. Moreover, more women than men reported an increase in
arguments since the start of the pandemic. For the age 62 cohort, in
particular, more relationship conflict was reported if they also experienced
changes in household composition, compared with cohort members who had
stability in their household arrangements.
• Most respondents reported a great deal of perceived social support if they
were sick or needed someone to talk to about their problems. Cohort
members who were not in a relationship, and particularly among the age 62
cohort, had the least emotional support compared to their peers who were in
relationships, irrespective of cohabitation status.

Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL

Zilanawala, Afshin

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Chanfreau, Jenny

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Sironi, Maria

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Palma, Maria

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November 2020