NEWS RELEASE
Embargoed until 0001, 25/11/13
FAMILIES BRACED FOR STRESSFUL CHRISTMAS.
TV Edwards ready to help with resolving children and finance disputes on family breakdown
More than 40% of Brits say they find the Christmas season “very stressful” while one in three (33%) say they “just want the Christmas season to be over as soon as possible”. The new findings, published a month before Christmas (25 Nov) as part of Family Dispute Resolution Week, also show that festive stress increases “significantly” for couples who are divorced or separated.
The research, based on a ComRes poll of more than 4,000 British adults for Resolution - the body representing 6,500 family law professionals in England and Wales - finds that across a range of ‘Christmas stress factors’, those who have ever been separated or divorced find Christmas more stressful than people who have never been separated or divorced.. The survey finds that:
Divorced couples want to get Christmas over and done with:
- 40% of British adults who have been separated or divorced in the past and are not currently in a relationship or marriage say that they “just want the Christmas season to be over as soon as possible”.
- This compares to just 30% for people who have not been separated or divorced.
- This rises to a staggering 50% of pensioners (over 65s) who have ever been separated or divorced.
When asked if they find Christmas “very stressful” the survey found:
- Overall, 43% of British adults agreed.
- This rose to 47% for adults who have ever been separated or divorced.
- 50% of British women who have ever been separated or divorced find Christmas very stressful.
- 48% of those who have a friend or family member or acquaintance currently going through a separation say that they find Christmas very stressful.
David Emmerson, head of Family Dispute Resolution at TV Edwards said: “It’s clear from this poll that couples who have separated or divorced find the festive season significantly more stressful than most other people. And it’s no wonder: all too often break-ups can lead to stress and unresolved long-term problems between former partners.
“It’s so important – particularly when children are involved – that separating couples find the best long-term solutions, so they can make arrangements together where possible. Indeed, managing childcare and working out how separated parents will see their children over the festive period can be often a major cause of stress. Half of all separated couples break up at a time when at least one child aged is under the age of 16.”
“We all know that the festive season can put a real stress on relationships. For those couples who are going through a separation, it can often be made significantly less stressful and more financially manageable by exploring all the options that are available. Resolution members can help couples to find solutions that are right for them. We know for example that the success rate of publicly funded mediations now stands at nearly 70% - just one example of how choosing the right option can often avoid a long and unnecessary battle.”
Other findings include:
- Christmas loneliness: Separated or divorced couples in their twenties and early 30s feel most lonely at Christmas. Four out of ten (40%) separated or divorced 25-34 year olds say they are lonely at Christmas. This compares to just 21% of separated or divorced couples of any age who say they are lonely at Christmas, falling to 17% of the general public (and just 15% of those who have never been separated or divorced).
- 56% of British adults who have been separated or divorced in the past and are not currently in a relationship or marriage say they “look forward to the Christmas season”, compared to seven in ten (67%) British adults generally.
- One in four (25%) British women who have ever been separated or divorced say that the “Christmas season brings back bad memories” compared to 19% for the general public.
- Just 1 in 3 (33%) British men who have ever been separated or divorced say they like organising “family get-togethers at the Christmas season. This figure rises significantly for the general public (43%).
- Young divorcees most stressed by making Christmas arrangements: Four in ten (41%) of the general public say that making arrangements over Christmas stressful but this leaps to almost six in ten (58%) for young people who have been separated or divorced (between the ages of 18-34).
As part of Family Dispute Resolution Week (25th – 29th November 2013) Resolution is launching a new advice guide, providing more information about the options available for couples going through separation or divorce. This guide can be downloaded at: www.resolution.org.uk/separatingtogether
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Spokespeople are available for interview on request
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
David Emmerson Head of Family Dispute Resolution – tel 07976 702 597
Denise Ingamells Head of mediation – tel 07792 598 692
TV Edwards main new client number 020 3440 8000 or visit the website at www.tvedwards.com
Notes to editors
· TV Edwards has one of the largest specialist family teams in the country and is recommended by many for their excellent service and ability to solve family problems
· TV Edwards is one of the few family firms still offering legal aid for mediation and cases involving violence or abuse
· TV Edwards has a very competitive range of fees to suit all budgets for divorce, family finance and children disputes
· Resolution is a group of over 6,500 family lawyers and other professionals in England and Wales. It promotes a non-confrontational, constructive approach to resolving family disputes. To find out more, visit www.resolution.org.uk
· ComRes interviewed 4,061 GB adults online between the 16 and 20 October 2013. Data were weighted to be representative of all GB adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full data tables are available at www.comres.co.uk
· Most recent ONS figures show that there were 117,558 divorces in 2011 – all involving two parties, or some 235,116 people. With only 51% of those polled saying they would consider a non-court based solution upon break-up, this means there are potentially 115,207 people who would benefit from making use of these options.
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