scholarly journals The Indirect Effect is Omitted Variable Bias: A Cautionary Note on the Interpretability of Significant Results in Non-Experimental Mediation Analyses

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lennert Coenen
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Cautionary Note ◽  
Simple Fact ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Statistical Mediation ◽  
Omitted Variable Bias ◽  
Variable Bias

This paper intends to remind communication scientists that the indirect effect as estimated in mediation analyses is a statistical synonym for omitted variable bias (i.e., confounding or suppression). This simple fact questions the interpretability of statistically significant ‘indirect effects’ in observational designs: in social reality all variables correlate with each other to some extent - the so-called ‘crud factor’ - which means that omitted variable bias and ‘indirect effects’ at the population level are virtually guaranteed regardless of the actual variables involved in the statistical mediation model. As a result, there can be no inferential link between the observation of a significant indirect effect and a theoretical claim of mediation. Through this argument the paper hopes to cultivate a more critical attitude toward the interpretation of ‘indirect effects’ in observational communication science.

Introduction to Simple Mediation Analysis in SPSS

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitika Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Causal Relationship ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Ols Regression ◽  
Mediator Variable

Data is analyzed using Mediation model which focuses on the estimation of the indirect effect of X on Y through an intermedi - ary mediator variable M causally located between X and Y (i.e., a model of the form X ? M ? Y ) 1 , where X is the input variable, Y is output and M is the Mediating Variable. When researchers want to examine that how X variable exert it effects on Y variable which is commonly intervened by one or two variables denoted by M and this variable has a causal relationship between X & Y as per Figure 1 and termed as Simple Mediation Model. In this casual system there is at least one casual antecedent X variable is projected as influencing an outcome Y through a single inter - vening variable M . Such model establishes two pathways which influences Y by direct effect and indirect effect. In direct effect, pathways lead from X to Y without passing M. In indirect effects, a pathway of X to Y is lead through M. There are two conse - quent variables forming two equations and these equations can be estimated by conducting OLS regression analyses using SPSS or by using PROCESS.sps in SPSS by Andrew F. Hayes. To add PROCESS by Andrew F. Hayes in SPSS.

scholarly journals Estimation of indirect effect when the mediator is a censored variable

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 3010-3025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Wang ◽  
Sanjay Shete
Keyword(s):  
Censored Data ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Failure Time ◽  
Fasting Glucose ◽  
Accelerated Failure Time Model ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Age At Menopause

A mediation model explores the direct and indirect effects of an initial variable ( X) on an outcome variable ( Y) by including a mediator ( M). In many realistic scenarios, investigators observe censored data instead of the complete data. Current research in mediation analysis for censored data focuses mainly on censored outcomes, but not censored mediators. In this study, we proposed a strategy based on the accelerated failure time model and a multiple imputation approach. We adapted a measure of the indirect effect for the mediation model with a censored mediator, which can assess the indirect effect at both the group and individual levels. Based on simulation, we established the bias in the estimations of different paths (i.e. the effects of X on M [ a], of M on Y [ b] and of X on Y given mediator M [ c’]) and indirect effects when analyzing the data using the existing approaches, including a naïve approach implemented in software such as Mplus, complete-case analysis, and the Tobit mediation model. We conducted simulation studies to investigate the performance of the proposed strategy compared to that of the existing approaches. The proposed strategy accurately estimates the coefficients of different paths, indirect effects and percentages of the total effects mediated. We applied these mediation approaches to the study of SNPs, age at menopause and fasting glucose levels. Our results indicate that there is no indirect effect of association between SNPs and fasting glucose level that is mediated through the age at menopause.

Moral leadership and employee work–family conflict: A moderated mediation model

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lei Yao ◽  
Ping Li
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Moderated Mediation ◽  
Moral Leadership ◽  
Conservation Of Resources ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Work Family Conflict ◽  
Moderated Mediation Model ◽  
Work Family ◽  
The Relationship

We applied conservation of resources theory to propose a moderated mediation model explaining how and when moral leadership influences employees' work–family conflict (WFC). Specifically, we hypothesized that both job clarity and workplace anxiety would mediate the relationship between moral leadership and employees' WFC, and that trust in supervisor would moderate the indirect effect of moral leadership and WFC through job clarity and workplace anxiety. We collected data from 258 employees of 3 companies in China, and their spouses. The findings indicated that job clarity and workplace anxiety mediated the relationship between moral leadership and employees' WFC, and that trust in supervisor strengthened the indirect effect through job clarity and workplace anxiety. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed regarding how and when moral leadership style reduces employees' WFC.

scholarly journals Hardiness and attitudes toward professional healthcare services: Implications for healthcare service utilization among Black American adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 205510292110291
Author(s):  
Drexler James
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Healthcare Provider ◽  
Service Utilization ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Black American ◽  
Health Value ◽  
Health Domains

This study ( N = 780) examines the indirect effects of hardiness—health locus of control (HLOC), health competence (HC), health value (HV)—on past-year healthcare provider visit via attitudes toward seeking and receiving professional healthcare services (ATSRPHS). Across four health domains (dental, general health, mental, vision), ATSRPHS mediated the indirect effect of (1) HV and (2) internal HLoC on past-year healthcare provider visit. ATSRPHS also mediated the indirect effect of external HLoC on past-year visit to healthcare provider visit for general medical, mental, and vision health. ATSRPHS did not mediate any indirect effect of HC on past-year healthcare provider visit. This research contributes to understanding determinants of healthcare service utilization among Black American adults.

Moral Disengagement About Cyberbullying and Parental Monitoring: Effects on Traditional Bullying and Victimization via Cyberbullying Involvement

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana J. Meter ◽  
Sheri Bauman
Keyword(s):  
Direct Effect ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Parental Monitoring ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Traditional Bullying ◽  
Traditional Victimization ◽  
And Gender

The indirect effects of moral disengagement about cyberbullying and parental monitoring on traditional victimization and bullying via cyberbullying involvement were examined in a diverse sample of 800 youth in Grades 3 to 8. After controlling for grade and gender, moral disengagement about cyberbullying and parental monitoring had an indirect effect on traditional victimization and bullying through cyberbullying involvement. Moral disengagement about cyberbullying and parental monitoring had a direct effect on traditional bullying. Results suggest that moral disengagement about cyberbullying and parental monitoring affect cyberbullying involvement and additionally impact experiences beyond the cyber context.

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