Abstract
Social support plays a crucial role in promoting emotional well-being, yet its effectivenessdepends on the quality of relationships (Cohen & Wills, 1985; Thoits, 2011; Uchino, 2009). This
thesis is a research proposal for a study that explores empathy as a mediator between quality
time and relationship satisfaction, addressing a key gap in existing research. While past studies
emphasize the benefits of high-quality social support (Reis et al., 2000; Taylor, 2011), limited
research has examined how empathy enhances these interactions (P´ eloquin & Lafontaine, 2010;
Verhofstadt et al., 2016). Based on Gordon and Chen (2016), we hypothesize that quality time
positively predicts relational satisfaction, and this effect is mediated by empathy. Furthermore,
we hypothesize that quality time enhances positive affect, also mediated by empathy (Ringwald &
Wright, 2017, 2023).
This study focuses on young adults (ages 18–23), a developmental stage where emotional
intimacy and relational habits are still forming (Arnett, 2000). Using a dyadic design, 101 pairs
of participants will engage in discussions about personal challenges while being assessed for per-
ceived social support, empathy, and satisfaction through behavioral coding and self-report mea-
sures. Findings will contribute to understanding how empathetic responsiveness strengthens rela-
tionships, with implications for promoting healthier interpersonal interactions and emotional well-
being.
Keywords: empathy, dyads, quality time, relationship satisfaction