title: Mediation analysis in nursing research: a methodological review.
abstract: Mediation statistical models help clarify the relationship between independent predictor variables and dependent outcomes of interest by assessing the impact of third variables. This type of statistical analysis is applicable for many clinical nursing research questions, yet its use within nursing remains low. Indeed, mediational analyses may help nurse researchers develop more effective and accurate prevention and treatment programs as well as help bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and clinical practice. In addition, this statistical approach allows nurse researchers to ask - and answer - more meaningful and nuanced questions that extend beyond merely determining whether an outcome occurs. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to provide a brief tutorial on the use of mediational analyses in clinical nursing research by briefly introducing the technique and, through selected empirical examples from the nursing literature, demonstrating its applicability in advancing nursing science.
authors.affiliation: a School of Nursing, Faculty Member of MPH, School of Medicine , University of Pennsylvania , 418 Curie Blvd., Room 426, Claire M. Fagin Hall, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19104-6096.
authors.forename: Jianghong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: a School of Nursing, Faculty Member of MPH, School of Medicine , University of Pennsylvania , 418 Curie Blvd., Room 426, Claire M. Fagin Hall, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19104-6096.
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ulrich
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D017008:Negotiating; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*
keywords: mediation; mediator; methodological review