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.

Keywords:

• mediation
• mediator
• methodological review

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences [NIH/DHSS 1-K02-ES-019878-01 and 1-R01-ES-018858-02]. The funders had no role in the manuscript preparation or analysis or decision to publish.