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Why So Many Gen Z Cut Family and Friends Off Without Warning

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26.04.2026

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Why So Many Gen Z Cut Family and Friends Off Without Warning

The desire for connection is still there. People just want it on their own, extremely specific terms.

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Americans are cutting ties with people, and a new survey explains why—and honestly, it’s hard to argue with them.

Nearly four in ten Americans (38 percent) went “no contact” with a friend or family member in the last year, according to a new study commissioned by Talkspace and conducted by Talker Research—a survey of 2,000 people timed to Mental Health Awareness Month. The number climbs sharply among younger generations: 60 percent of Gen Z and 50 percent of millennials have cut someone off in the past year, compared to 38 percent of Gen X and just 20 percent of baby boomers.

So what’s driving the exodus? The top answer, cited by 36 percent of respondents, was a lack of respect. After that, 29 percent said the relationship negatively affected their mental health, and 27 percent said the other person was simply too negative. These aren’t exactly shocking revelations.........

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