Mediation Analysis

TLDR

Mediating variables are central to psychological theory, transmitting effects between independent and dependent variables and distinct from confounders, moderators, and covariates. The study reviews statistical methods for assessing mediation and outlines future directions for mediation analysis. The authors describe statistical methods and comprehensive modern approaches for assessing mediation.

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.