When a couple’s relationship falters, few know who to turn to to prevent discomfort from setting in. According to a study by the Coopleo.care platform, nearly one in two French people admit to not knowing who to turn to in the event of marital difficulties. This survey, conducted among more than 1,000 people, reveals a surprising paradox: while the majority of respondents are aware of the importance of maintaining their relationship on a day-to-day basis, they are significantly less prepared to manage crises. And above all, they lack the guidance to seek the right help at the right time.
The French aware of the importance of working as a couple
The results of the survey are clear: 91% of participants believe that a relationship requires constant maintenance. The French seem rather confident in their ability to nourish their life together. On a scale of 10, they give themselves an average of 7.8 on their ability to support their relationship.
When it comes to taking care of the bond on a daily basis, this score rises slightly to 8.1. But it drops to 7.4 when it comes to getting through a period of turbulence and dialoguing in a peaceful climate. These figures reflect a form of assumed autonomy, but also a difficulty in maintaining this serenity when emotions get involved.
And that’s where the problem lies: 44% of those questioned say they don’t know who to turn to in the event of conflict or tension in their relationship. This vagueness in benchmarks poses a real problem of access to adequate help.
Who are the first contacts in the event of marital difficulties?
When a couple is going through a crisis, few French people go through the door of a specialized office. Only half (56%) say they seek outside help in this type of situation. And among them, the majority favor the personal environment.
More precisely :
- 54% speak to a member of their family;
- 53% prefer to confide in a friend;
- 15% turn to a health professional;
- 6% consult a professional dedicated to the couple (counsellor, therapist, mediator);
- 5% choose spiritual or religious support.
These figures reveal a clear preference for informal exchanges, with close people. However, as Pascal Corpet, co-founder of Coopleo.care and training in marriage counseling, points out, this is not always the most suitable solution. According to him, “We can expect empathy and listening from friends and family, but their lack of neutrality and the fact that they are not trained do not make them trusted references to move forward with difficulties.“.
The observation is clear: only 6% of French people spontaneously think of consulting a couples professional when they are going through a complicated period.
Why is it so difficult to seek professional help?
There is a stubborn psychological barrier to seeing a marriage counselor or couples therapist. Fear of judgment, lack of knowledge of available services, but also the feeling of personal failure play an important role in this hesitation.
And yet, outside help can be invaluable. It allows each partner to express themselves in a secure environment, far from tensions and too strong emotions. It offers a step back, a deciphering of what remains unsaid, a mediation which often prevents conflicts from becoming irreversible.
But for this approach to become a habit, we must above all inform, normalize, and remember that going to see a professional is not an admission of weakness, but a mark of commitment. Provided, of course, you know who to contact.