Three in ten Indonesians see friendships strain since pandemic

Over half see their mental health decline

YouGov data examines what impact the global coronavirus pandemic has had on Indonesians personally, looking at how this has affected their mental health, romantic relationships, family relationships and friendships.

While a lucky three in ten (31%) see no change to their romantic relationships, about one in seven (15%) say their relationships have become strained as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Indonesian adults under the age of 34 are twice as likely to see their relationships strain as those over the age of 34 (17% vs. 9%). Over one in twenty (6%) have had their relationship end. The pandemic hasn’t been all bad news for romance though. One in seven (13%) say their relationships have become stronger, and one (5%) began a new relationship. Two in ten (20%) remained single this year, and the remaining 16% are undecided or preferred not to answer.

Relationships of the romantic kind are not the only one that has seen a strain. Almost one in five (18%) of Indonesians say their relationship with their family has been strained since the outbreak. Men are more likely to see family relationships strain than women (19% vs. 16%). Over one in five (21%) attested to building a stronger relationship, one in ten (10%) have regained contact with family members.

Of all the relationships this year however, it is Indonesian friendships that have suffered the most. Three in ten (29%) say their friendships have been strained. Younger Indonesians (aged 18 to 24) are twice as likely to see their friendships strain than older Indonesians (aged 55 and above) (33% vs. 14%). One in twenty (6%) ended their friendships altogether.

The pandemic has also affected Indonesians mentally. Over two in five (46%) currently live with some form of mental health condition, the most being anxiety (23%) and depression (12%). The pandemic has taken a toll on over half (57%) of Indonesians mental health. Three in ten (29%) say the pandemic has affected their mental health ‘slightly’ negatively, one in seven (15%) say this has been ‘moderately’ negative and the remaining one in seven (13%) say this has been ‘very’ negative. A quarter (26%) see no changes to their mental health, and a small percentage (8%) say their mental health has changed for the better.

***Results based on 2,111 Indonesians surveyed on YouGov Omnibus