Work

Bayesian mediation analysis.

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: In this article, we propose Bayesian analysis of mediation effects. Compared with conventional frequentist mediation analysis, the Bayesian approach has several advantages. First, it allows researchers to incorporate prior information into the mediation analysis, thus potentially improving the efficiency of estimates. Second, under the Bayesian mediation analysis, inference is straightforward and exact, which makes it appealing for studies with small samples. Third, the Bayesian approach is conceptually simpler for multilevel mediation analysis. Simulation studies and analysis of 2 data sets are used to illustrate the proposed methods. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Psychological Methods

DOI: 10.1037/a0016972

Authors: Ying Yuan, David P. MacKinnon

Institutions: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Arizona State University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Causal Inference Techniques

Subfield: Statistics and Probability

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse

Awards: G3287670370, Estimating Mediation Effects in Prevention Studies, Collaborative Data Synthesis for Adolescent Depression Trials