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Linear Regression
Mediating Variables
Mediating Variables
Mediation
3 variables in a causal sequence
Middle variable is mediator leading to chain of events that
cause a change in DV.
Example:
Job affect mediates the influence of competence on
motivation.
What are the 3 variables?
Which one is the IV, DV, Mediator?

IV Mediator DV
competence Affect Motivation
Mediating Variable
Use 7 CFA SDT.sav
Look at different job levels
Descriptives, Frequency
We will look only at Job Level 4 - 6 (Professionals & Specialists,
Managers, Executives)
Select only those with jl>=4
Participants
N?
Age?
Gender?
Civil Status?
Mediating Variable
Hypothesis: Job affect mediates the influence of competence on
intrinsic motivation.
Procedures based on Baron & Kinney, 1986 in Tabachnick &
Fidell, 2007
We need to test for paths a, b, c
IV
Mediator
DV
c
a b
Step 1
Path a
Is there a significant relationship between IV and mediator?
(Test path a total effect, what is r?)
If path a is not significant, then there is no mediation
If path a significant, what is ?
IV
Mediator
DV
c
a b
Step 2
Path b
Is there a significant relationship between mediator and DV?
(Test path b, what is r?)
If path b is not significant, then there is no mediation
IV
Mediator
DV
c
a b
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Step 3
Path c
Is there a significant relationship between IV and DV? (Test
path c, what is r?)
If path c is not significant, then there is perfect mediation
IV
Mediator
DV
c
a b
Step 4
Path b' and c' together
Is regression significant?
If so
What is for path b'?
What is for path c'? (This is also called direct effect)
IV
Mediator
DV
c'
a b'
Evaluate mediation
Perfect mediation
Path b' significant
Path c' not significant
IV
Mediator
DV
c'
a b'
Evaluate mediation
No mediation
Path b' not significant
Path c' significant
IV
Mediator
DV
c'
a b'
Evaluate mediation
Partial mediation
Path b' significant
Path c' significant
IV
Mediator
DV
c'
a b'
Interpretation
State the hypothesis
Give a brief paragraph discussing if the regression
requirements were met, outliers removed if any, etc.
Give an introductory statement that summarizes your
findings before you explain the detailed results.
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Interpretation
Details
- Path from competence to job affect was significant, with r=?
- Path from job affect to motivation was significant, with r=?
- Path from competence to motivation (total effect) was also
significant, with r=?
- When competence and job affect were entered together as
predictors of motivation, competence was not significant (=?)
but affect was significant (=?)
- Results show that affect (fully? partially?) mediates the influence
of competence on motivation.
- The regression was significant, with F(?, ?)=? and p < 0.05. Affect
and the indirect effect of competence together explain ? % of
the variance in motivation.
Exercise
Job affect mediates the influence of
relatedness on motivation.