Research Says Friends Are Leaning Due To Quarantine Effects

Colleagues (luis_mulinero / FreePik)

JAKARTA - Self-quarantine which has been running for almost half a year makes it difficult for us to interact with friends and relatives. The choice to communicate online is often made to fulfill longings.

However, if you feel that your relationship is starting to drift apart, that's normal. According to research conducted by University College London (UCL) on COVID-19, 1 in 5 relationships get worse because of the effects of self-quarantine.

Reporting from the Independent, Thursday, July 16, 20 percent of respondents said their friendship had become bad. Another 18 percent said their relationship with their partner had also experienced the same thing since March when the COVID-19 pandemic took place.

A pandemic that separates friendships and relationships reduces social interactions. In addition, this long-distance interaction also often causes misunderstandings between each other.

The survey, which was conducted in the UK, also found that relationships with colleagues are also getting smaller due to interactions that are only done online. This relationship began to stretch when the quarantine began.

"This is true with people diagnosed with mental health issues and adults, as well as those with low incomes, living alone and living with children, all of whom face aggravated mental or financial stress during quarantine," said Dr Daisy Fancourt, professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at UCL.

Despite the tenuous relationship, research revealed that the relationship with neighbors was positive from the ages of 30 to 59.

Naturally, this happens because many activities at home make us closer to those who live around us, including neighbors. Do you agree with this research?

Overcoming relationship breakdown can be overcome with simple interactions. If there is a misunderstanding, immediately communicate with relatives so that the relationship continues to run smoothly.