Abstract

Abstract Mediating variables are prominent in psychological theory and research. A mediating variable transmits the effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable. Differences between mediating variables and confounders, moderators, and covariates are outlined. Statistical methods to assess mediation and modern comprehensive approaches are described. Future directions for mediation analysis are discussed.

Keywords

MediationPsychologyConfoundingVariablesCovariateVariable (mathematics)Social psychologyEconometricsStatisticsMathematicsSociologySocial science

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Year
2006
Type
article
Volume
58
Issue
1
Pages
593-614
Citations
5165
Access
Closed

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David P. MacKinnon, Amanda J. Fairchild, Matthew S. Fritz (2006). Mediation Analysis. Annual Review of Psychology , 58 (1) , 593-614. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085542

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DOI
10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085542