New research has found that those in their late thirties and early forties are more likely to feel lonely and depressed than any other age group.

Latest figures reveal that 21% of 35 to 44-year-olds feel lonely “a lot of the time” or have suffered depression, while 30% think shorter working hours would improve family relationships.

In a survey of more than 2,000 adults, those in the 35-44 age bracket were found to be lonelier and more negative about aspects of their relationships than any other age group.

Twenty-two per cent said they wished they had a better relationship with their family, while the same number said they felt closer to their friends than their family – a figure which rose to 76% among all respondents.

A quarter said they wished they could have more time to spend with their family, while 23% wanted more time to spend with friends.

Twenty-two per cent said they had suffered depression because of a bad relationship, while 40% said they had been cheated on by a partner. Men and women both put not being listened to as their biggest gripe about their partner.

Twenty-eight per cent said they had left a job because of a bad relationship.

Claire Tyler, chief executive of Relate, said: “Traditionally we associate the midlife crisis with people in their late 40s to 50s, but the report reveals that this period could be reaching people earlier than we would expect.”

She said that the late thirties and early forties were when “life gets really hard” for many people, with huge pressures in work and family life, as well as money worries.

“We cannot afford to sit back and watch this happen,” she said. “The ensuing effects of relationship breakdown on society are huge, so it’s really important that this age group has access to appropriate and relevant support, be that through friends and family or other methods such as counselling.”

The findings are published in a report out today from relationships charity Relate and telecommunications firm TalkTalk.

The research reveals how families in the 21st century are relying increasingly on social networks to keep in touch with each other.

Twenty-two per cent of parents aged 35 to 44 said they use social networks like Facebook and MySpace to keep up with their children.

Among all respondents, mothers were ranked the third most important relationship, behind partners and children, while just 1% of respondents said their fathers were their most important relationship. Twenty-three per cent said their parents had broken up.