Pandemic has had an impact on romantic relationships: poll

Narrative Research’s recent Valentine’s Day study indicates COVID-19 has resulted in fewer dates and weddings

CITYnews halifax \ Meghan Groff

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The pandemic has had an impact on romantic relationships.

That’s according to Narrative Research, whose recent Valentine’s Day study indicates COVID-19 has resulted in fewer dates and weddings.

The local polling company asked Canadians about their current dating status.

Fifty-eight per cent said they were currently in a relationship, 32 per cent were not actively dating, while only 5 percent were actively dating.

Of those in a relationship, 26 per cent said it had improved throughout the pandemic, 62 per cent said it hadn’t changed and only 11 per cent thought it had worsened.

“Improved relationships are more common among those renting and millennials, though these two groups are also more likely to have experienced worsening relationships, signaling that younger residents and those without homeownerships are more susceptible to the pandemic’s impact on relationships, whether it is a positive or negative impact,” said Narrative Research in a news release.

However, it appears mandatory quarantines and restrictions have impacted the lives of those currently looking for love.

Fifty per cent of those actively dating saying they’ve been on fewer dates since the arrival of COVID-19, 27 per cent have been on more, while 24 per cent say the pandemic hasn’t really changed how often they’ve gone out.

It also appears fewer people are walking down the aisle.

Sixty-one per cent of respondents said they have been to fewer weddings than usual since March of 2020, 35 per cent say they’ve attended about the same amount, while 5 per cent say they’ve been to more weddings.

The results are courtesy of an online survey between January 17 to 19 of 1,231 Canadians 18 years of age or older, conducted from the Logit Group’s Canadian Omnibus, which surveys people about their opinions and behaviours related to topical issues.