Mediation (statistics)

In statistics, a mediation model seeks to identify and explain the mechanism or process that underlies the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable, through the inclusion of a third hypothetical variable known as a mediator variable (also referred to as an intermediate variable or intervening variable).

In this framework, the relationship is not conceived as a direct causal link between the independent and the dependent variable, but rather as one in which the independent variable influences the mediator variable, which in turn affects the dependent variable. In this way, the mediator variable helps to clarify the nature of the causal relationship between them.

Mediation analyses are employed to understand a known relationship by exploring the underlying mechanism or process by which one variable influences another variable through a mediator variable. In particular, mediation analysis can contribute to better understanding the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable when these variables do not have an obvious direct connection.

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