Apart from the aforementioned hypotheses, this proposed study also makes some assumptions regarding the relationships among variables. Based on the literature on individual differences in humor, uses of humor styles are assumed to be different by gender and age. Premised on the research on the importance of a romantic partner in relieving loneliness, it is sensible to assume that the level of loneliness differs by romantic relationship status. Besides, according to the literature on social relationships, a person’s social competence is assumed to affect the amount of social support he or she receives.