Relationships as a Potential Mental Health Resource: A Review of the Current Research
Tracks
Binna Burra Room - In-Person Only
| Tuesday, June 23, 2026 |
| 2:45 PM - 3:05 PM |
Overview
Elisabeth Shaw & Acadia Babister, RANSW
Presenter
Acadia Babister
Research And Evaluation Officer
RANSW
Relationships as a Potential Mental Health Resource: A Review of the Current Research
Presentation Overview
Committed intimate relationships and social connections have long been recognised as important to mental health and well-being, and critical to how recovery systems work. Relationships can support and strengthen in times of stress, and they can also be a source of harm.
Despite this importance, understanding specifically how relationships assist or detract from mental health is under-researched in the Australian context. Additionally, whilst research exists on interventions that support the initial development of social connections, far less attention is given to strengthening existing relationships, and evaluations of current interventions often focus narrowly on acute mental distress.
We explore three categories of relationship structures: romantic relationships, close ties such as family and friendships, and community relationships, and their impact on mental health. We find that current evidence in this space is less substantial than research specifically focused on marriage as a relational structure. Although the connection between these relationships and mental health and well-being may seem obvious at the frontline, the lack of substantial evidence to inform service design means we may end up missing an opportunity to improve outcomes and experience. With the marriage rate declining in Australia and the increasing reliance on community-based care, it is vital to understand the impact that other relational forms can have on mental health.
This talk reports research on the significance of relationships and mental health and the criticality of this in informing systems design. Contrary to the common focus on acute distress, we call for future relationship studies on mental health to incorporate well-being measures, such as life satisfaction, affect, and eudaimonia, in service of system improvements.
Our findings suggest that expanding the scope of relationship research beyond marriage and distress-based models can offer valuable pathways for improving mental health outcomes and user experience in Australia.
Three Key Learnings
1. Although the connection between relationships and mental health and well-being may seem obvious at the frontline, research is surprisingly limited for non-married relationships.
2. There is limited Australian research on how relationship-based interventions influence mental health and well-being, leaving service design reliant on familiar approaches and missing opportunities to improve outcomes and experiences.
3. Including a mental health and well-being evaluation tool in relationship counselling and group work can provide insight into how these interventions impact mental health.
Despite this importance, understanding specifically how relationships assist or detract from mental health is under-researched in the Australian context. Additionally, whilst research exists on interventions that support the initial development of social connections, far less attention is given to strengthening existing relationships, and evaluations of current interventions often focus narrowly on acute mental distress.
We explore three categories of relationship structures: romantic relationships, close ties such as family and friendships, and community relationships, and their impact on mental health. We find that current evidence in this space is less substantial than research specifically focused on marriage as a relational structure. Although the connection between these relationships and mental health and well-being may seem obvious at the frontline, the lack of substantial evidence to inform service design means we may end up missing an opportunity to improve outcomes and experience. With the marriage rate declining in Australia and the increasing reliance on community-based care, it is vital to understand the impact that other relational forms can have on mental health.
This talk reports research on the significance of relationships and mental health and the criticality of this in informing systems design. Contrary to the common focus on acute distress, we call for future relationship studies on mental health to incorporate well-being measures, such as life satisfaction, affect, and eudaimonia, in service of system improvements.
Our findings suggest that expanding the scope of relationship research beyond marriage and distress-based models can offer valuable pathways for improving mental health outcomes and user experience in Australia.
Three Key Learnings
1. Although the connection between relationships and mental health and well-being may seem obvious at the frontline, research is surprisingly limited for non-married relationships.
2. There is limited Australian research on how relationship-based interventions influence mental health and well-being, leaving service design reliant on familiar approaches and missing opportunities to improve outcomes and experiences.
3. Including a mental health and well-being evaluation tool in relationship counselling and group work can provide insight into how these interventions impact mental health.
Biography
Acadia Babister is a research and evaluation officer working for Relationships Australia NSW. Through this role she conducts evaluation of RANSW’s services and programs as well as undertaking research in areas of interest to the organisation, including the confluence of relationships, mental health, and loneliness.
With an honours degree from UNSW in sociology and anthropology, her prior research is on the impact intimate relationships have on community and identity. She has previously worked conducting research for the NSW state government on housing and the development of positive community spaces and facilities. She is passionate about in-depth narratives and lived experience.
Elisabeth Shaw
CEO
Relationships Australia NSW
Relationships as a Potential Mental Health Resource: A Review of the Current Research
Presentation Overview
Committed intimate relationships and social connections have long been recognised as important to mental health and well-being, and critical to how recovery systems work. Relationships can support and strengthen in times of stress, and they can also be a source of harm.
Despite this importance, understanding specifically how relationships assist or detract from mental health is under-researched in the Australian context. Additionally, whilst research exists on interventions that support the initial development of social connections, far less attention is given to strengthening existing relationships, and evaluations of current interventions often focus narrowly on acute mental distress.
We explore three categories of relationship structures: romantic relationships, close ties such as family and friendships, and community relationships, and their impact on mental health. We find that current evidence in this space is less substantial than research specifically focused on marriage as a relational structure. Although the connection between these relationships and mental health and well-being may seem obvious at the frontline, the lack of substantial evidence to inform service design means we may end up missing an opportunity to improve outcomes and experience. With the marriage rate declining in Australia and the increasing reliance on community-based care, it is vital to understand the impact that other relational forms can have on mental health.
This talk reports research on the significance of relationships and mental health and the criticality of this in informing systems design. Contrary to the common focus on acute distress, we call for future relationship studies on mental health to incorporate well-being measures, such as life satisfaction, affect, and eudaimonia, in service of system improvements.
Our findings suggest that expanding the scope of relationship research beyond marriage and distress-based models can offer valuable pathways for improving mental health outcomes and user experience in Australia.
Despite this importance, understanding specifically how relationships assist or detract from mental health is under-researched in the Australian context. Additionally, whilst research exists on interventions that support the initial development of social connections, far less attention is given to strengthening existing relationships, and evaluations of current interventions often focus narrowly on acute mental distress.
We explore three categories of relationship structures: romantic relationships, close ties such as family and friendships, and community relationships, and their impact on mental health. We find that current evidence in this space is less substantial than research specifically focused on marriage as a relational structure. Although the connection between these relationships and mental health and well-being may seem obvious at the frontline, the lack of substantial evidence to inform service design means we may end up missing an opportunity to improve outcomes and experience. With the marriage rate declining in Australia and the increasing reliance on community-based care, it is vital to understand the impact that other relational forms can have on mental health.
This talk reports research on the significance of relationships and mental health and the criticality of this in informing systems design. Contrary to the common focus on acute distress, we call for future relationship studies on mental health to incorporate well-being measures, such as life satisfaction, affect, and eudaimonia, in service of system improvements.
Our findings suggest that expanding the scope of relationship research beyond marriage and distress-based models can offer valuable pathways for improving mental health outcomes and user experience in Australia.
Biography
Elisabeth Shaw is a clinical and counselling psychologist and the CEO of Relationships Australia NSW, who has worked in relationships and mental health her whole career in various community and public health settings.
