Exploring the Links Among Relational Catalyst Support and Anxiety and Depression: The Moderating Role of Emotion Regulation

Social support broadly refers to assistance from one’s social network and is a well-known protective factor against psychological distress, particularly depression and anxiety. However, specific types of support linked to reducing distress remain unclear. Recent models highlight Relational Catalyst (RC) support—encouragement to pursue personal goals—as critical for improving mental health and well-being. This study aims to examine the relationship between RC support and symptoms of anxiety and depression, two prevalent conditions causing significant impairment. Additionally, we will explore how emotion regulation (ER), or the ability to manage emotional responses, moderates these relationships. Close relationships, such as those with partners and friends, act as relational catalysts by fostering motivation, providing validation, and helping with goal setting. RC support may reduce avoidance behaviors common in depression and anxiety by promoting goal pursuit, positive reinforcement, and resilience. Prior research suggests that social support decreases avoidance and boosts self-efficacy, potentially mitigating symptoms. ER difficulties are strongly linked to anxiety and depression, affecting how individuals cope with stress and utilize social support. We propose that better ER skills enhance the ability to benefit from RC support, while ER deficits may hinder effective engagement with support networks. One major limitation in prior literature on social support and internalizing symptoms is the use of cross-sectional study designs (Acoba, 2024; Vila, 2021). Use of these designs prevents researchers and practitioners from drawing causal inferences regarding the direction of these relations. To address this limitation, we plan to use a longitudinal design in which we measure these constructs over the course of eight weeks, a period during which variability in anxiety and depressive symptoms may be observed (Huckins et al., 2020a; Huckins et al., 2020b). Additionally, we will also incorporate an EMA (ecological momentary assessment) burst in which we measure RC support, ER, and internalizing symptoms in real-time. If RC support is found to predict reductions in anxiety and depression—both in day-to-day fluctuations and extended symptom trajectories—and if ER moderates these associations—this this would provide a strong rationale for clinicians to target RC support and ER processes in therapeutic interventions This study has two main aims: (a) to investigate the associations among RC support, depression, and anxiety, and (b) to examine ER as a moderator of these associations. We hypothesize that higher RC support will predict lower depression and anxiety symptoms over time and that this effect will be stronger for individuals with better ER. Findings could clarify mechanisms by which social support and emotional skills interact to reduce internalizing symptoms, informing targeted interventions.