Direction of effects in mediation analysis

Psychological Methods
Wolfgang Wiedermann, Alexander von Eye

Abstract

Data collected in the social sciences are rarely normally distributed. The linear regression methods that are usually employed to test mediation hypotheses consider moments no higher than second order. Recently discussed methods of direction dependence do consider higher moments. After a review of commonly used methods for mediation analysis, the present article demonstrates that these methods do not allow one to make decisions about competing mediation models, that is, models in which the reverse flow of causality is considered. Then, direction of dependence methodology is introduced which allows one to evaluate hypotheses of direction of effects, and extend its application to mediation analysis. Significance tests for statistical inference on direction of effects are proposed and discussed. Results of a Monte-Carlo simulation of the performance of the tests under various data scenarios are presented. An empirical example from research on intimate partner violence is given. Finally, possible limitations of these methods are addressed, issues of implicit assumptions concerning the origin of observed skewness are discussed, and the new methodology is embedded into the larger framework of causal inference.

Citations

Mar 14, 2014·The British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology·Wolfgang WiedermannAlexander von Eye
Jan 28, 2017·Multivariate Behavioral Research·Wolfgang WiedermannAlexander von Eye
Jan 16, 2019·Prevention Science : the Official Journal of the Society for Prevention Research·Wolfgang WiedermannAlexander von Eye
Sep 24, 2019·Multivariate Behavioral Research·Wolfgang Wiedermann, James Sebastian
Sep 6, 2017·The British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology·Wolfgang WiedermannAlexander von Eye
Apr 18, 2020·Frontiers in Psychology·Gina AustinBirgit Elsner
Jan 17, 2017·Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science·Alexander von Eye, Wolfgang Wiedermann
Sep 19, 2017·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Jojanneke van der ToornJay J Van Bavel
Mar 22, 2018·Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science·Alexander von Eye, Wolfgang Wiedermann
May 22, 2018·Prevention Science : the Official Journal of the Society for Prevention Research·Wolfgang WiedermannAlexander von Eye
Mar 13, 2021·Climacteric : the Journal of the International Menopause Society·C M OldraA P Vieira
Aug 11, 2021·European Journal of Pain : EJP·Vasilis S VasiliouMaria Karekla

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