Social networks help New Zealanders deal with change describes how people use their social networks to help get through periods of major change in their life. The report looks at the changes people experienced during the previous 12 months, their impacts, and who they reached out to for support.
Data is sourced from the 2014 New Zealand General Social Survey, and covers people aged 15 years and over.
Key Results
- 7 in 10 New Zealand adults experienced at least one change that had a major impact on their lives in the last 12 months.
- Changes in health circumstances were the most commonly reported life change, followed by changes in finances and relationships.
- 45 percent of people perceived the change as mostly negative, compared with 33 percent who perceived it as mostly positive. The remaining 22 percent viewed the change more neutrally.
- 3 in 5 of those who experienced a major life change used family for support. People were over four times more likely to turn to family for support first than either friends or professionals.
- Young people (15–24) and prime working age people (25–44) were more likely to turn to family for support in a time of change than those aged 45 years and over.
- 1 in 5 people did not access any support during a period of change in their life. Older people (65 years and over) were more likely to not get help during a life change than young people.
- People were most likely to use the support of professionals for changes that involved the care of a sick or disabled person (27 percent), and changes in their health status or the health of someone close to them (30 percent).
- Emotional support was the most common type of support that people received, regardless of age.