Mediation Analysis Plots - What are these numbers?
Hello,
I did a mediation analysis on some data I have and I have trouble understanding what are the numbers presented in the plots.
I'm refering to:
On every variable, there's a "round arrow" with a number on it. What is that?
And, can anyone help me understand what are the numbers on the long arrows? (For example -0.12 on Cnd -> pRa). At first I thought these are correlations but I understand it is not.
Thank you!
Comments
I actually came to this forum to ask this exact question. I hope someone can answer!
By default, the numbers in the path are the unstardadized estimates, respectively: a, b and c' (direct effect).
If you check the Standardized estimation in Options menu, the numbers turn to standardized regression coefficients (with direct, not total, effect on the orizontal path).
You provided the information on the path, but what about the values above each variable (small circle arrows on the box)? The values on the path (sorry I had missed that part of the question) are used in reporting mediation analysis. But I have enver seen the values by each variable in path diagram before.
Estimated variance of each variable.
Estimated variance of each variable.
like a structure coefficient?
The round arrows indicate the estimated _residual variance_ of each variable, i.e., the total variance minus the variance explained by the other variables in the model. Since the predictor does not have variance explained by other variables, the residual variance is equal to the total variance.
You can interpret the directed arrows similar to regression coefficients.
Thanks for the explanation of the round arrows. I understand the directed arrows, as those are quite standard in reporting mediation effects, but the rounded arrows were new to me. Much appreciated!