Mediation

This week's class focuses on using regression to test mediation. More generally, we discuss the issue of controlling for alternative effects and spurious relationships. In this context you might find the hemline index interesting.

Primary Readings

  • Hayes, A. F. (2013). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis. New York: The Guilford Press. Chapter 1 [pdf]

    • Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of personality and social psychology, 51(6), 1173. [pdf]

      • Kenny handout on testing mediation. [html]

  • Zhao, Lynch, and Chen (JCR 2010) -- Reconsidering Baron and Kenny: Myths and Truths About Mediation Analysis [^pdf]

  • Handout on using process [html]

Secondary Readings

  • Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods, 40, 879-891

  • Hayes, A. F. (2009). Beyond Baron and Kenny: Statistical mediation analysis in the new millennium. Communication Monographs, 76(4), 408-420

Software tools

  • PROCESS macro for SPSS and SAS

      • Download latest from http://www.processmacro.org or use this (possibly old) zip file (zip)

      • Documentation:

        • Brief handout [html]

      • Hayes, A. F. (2013). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis. New York: The Guilford Press. [web page]

    • See also this article:

      • Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2004). SPSS and SAS procedures for estimating indirect effects in simple mediation models. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 36(4), 717-731. [pdf]

    • Equivalent code for STATA

    • DeRosia