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Mediator Analysis in SPSS and LISREL

Nils Beer

I. Aims
II. Characterisation of mediators and mediation
III. Testing mediating relationships in SPSS
IV. Practice Example and SPSS Analysis
V. Alternative Path Analysis in LISREL

Appendix: SPSS outputs (for IV)

Source of the Practice Example and further reading:

Data of the practice example: Miles, J. & Shevlin, M. (2001). Applying Regression and
Correlation: A Guide for Students and Researchers, London: Sage Publications.

I. Aims

This handout aims to provide an introductory account of mediators and how they can
be analysed, interpreted and reported. Conducting mediator analysis in SPSS is
insightful for those new to the concept. Experienced users might prefer using Structural
Equation Modeling (SEM) programmes such as LISREL to quickly conduct a Path
Analysis. Comparison of the two techniques reflects the superiority of LISREL over
SPSS as shown in page 5.

II. Characterisation of mediators and mediation

A variable is said to mediate the relationship between a predictor variable and an


outcome (criterion) variable if the predictor variable first has an effect on the mediator
variable, and this in turn influences the outcome variable. Hence, a mediator (M)
accounts for the relationship between a predictor variable (X) and the outcome
variable (Y). Mediation has to be strictly distinguished from moderation: A mediator (or
mediating) variable accounts for the relationship between two variables, whereas a
moderator variable changes the relationship between two variables. Depending on the
extent two forms of mediation have to be distinguished:

- Complete mediation exists if the predictor variable exerts its total influence via
the mediating variable (M).

- Partial mediation is given if the predictor variable exerts some of its influence
via M, and it also exerts some of its influence directly on the outcome variable
and not via M.

Mediator Analysis in SPSS and LISREL Page 1


III. Testing mediating relationships in SPSS

a. Steps to establish that a mediated relationship exists (Barron and Kenny,


1986)

1. Show that X is a significant predictor of Y, using regression;


2. Show that X is a significant predictor of M, using regression;
3. Show that M is a significant predictor of Y, when we control for X. This is
done by conducting a multiple linear regression analysis using X and M as
predictors and Y as the outcome (criterion) variable;
4. If M is a complete mediator of the relationship between X and Y, the effect of X,
when controlling for M, should be zero.
If M is only a partial mediator the effect will only be reduced, not eliminated. The
amount of mediation is calculated as the difference between slopes
(unstandardized regression coefficients) found in steps 1 and 3.

b. Simplified alternative approach for complex models

In complex models, incorporating numerous potential predictors and mediators,


Barron and Kennys (1986) procedure is very time consuming due to its implications
that a high number of separate regression analyses have to be conducted.

A simplified approach consists of two steps:

1. Conducting a correlational analysis of all variables showing all inter-


correlations. The correlation matrix reveals whether steps 1 and 2 of Barron &
Kenny are satisfied.

2. Conducting a hierarchical regression analysis with


Block 1: potential mediators
Block 2 potential predictors
In order to show to what extent step 3 of Barron & Kenny is satisfied.

IV. Practice Example and SPSS Analysis (Miles & Shevlin, 2011, 188-191)

The extent to which people enjoy reading books [enjoy] is likely to be a predictor of the
number of books they buy [buy] and the number of books they buy in turn is a likely
predictor of the number of books they read [read]. Yet, it is likely that the number of
books bought will not completely mediate the relationship between the enjoyments of
books and the number they read because people might borrow books from friends or
use libraries. Table 1 on page 2 shows the dataset comprising the three
aforementioned variables

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Table 1: Dataset for the practice example of mediator analysis using SPSS

PS enjoy buy read

1 4 16 6
2 15 19 13
3 1 0 1
4 11 19 13
5 13 25 12
6 19 24 11
7 6 22 7
8 10 21 8
9 15 13 12
10 3 7 4
11 11 28 15
12 20 31 14
13 7 4 7
14 11 26 14
15 10 11 9
16 6 12 5
17 7 14 7
18 18 16 12
19 8 20 10
20 2 13 6
21 7 12 9
22 12 23 13
23 13 22 9
24 15 19 13
25 4 12 9
26 3 10 5
27 9 7 7
28 7 22 8
29 10 7 8
30 2 0 2
31 15 16 7
32 1 17 6
33 3 11 9
34 6 5 9
35 13 29 15
36 15 29 11
37 16 20 9
38 14 16 7
39 1 3 2
40 8 8 10

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The corresponding mediation model can be depicted:

Enjoy (X) Read (Y)

Buy (M)

Steps within the (1986) Baron & Kenney Approach

1. Show that [enjoy] is a significant predictor of [read] using regression.


2. Show that [enjoy] is a significant predictor of [buy] using regression
3. Show that [buy] is a significant predictor of [read] when controlling for [enjoy].

The results of the (three SPSS regression analyses comprising) mediation analysis are
depicted in Table 2 (with the corresponding SPSS outputs shown in the Appendix).

Table 2: Results of the SPSS mediation analysis (Barron & Kenney approach)

Adj. F- Beta P
R2 Ratio
1. Regressing [read] on [enjoy] .524 43.89 .732 < .001
2. Regressing [buy] on [enjoy] .399 26.93 .644 < .001
3. Regressing [read] on [buy] controlling for [enjoy] .647 36.80 .471 < .001
Beta for [enjoy] .429

Since the (standardized) regression coefficient for [enjoy] is reduced by 0.732 0.429 =
0.303 [buy] partially mediates the relationship between [enjoy] and [buy].

The corresponding SPSS Outputs are shown in the appendix

V. Alternative Path Analysis in LISREL

The mediation tests can be conducted in a more efficient and faster way using path
analysis in LISREL. Here all three variables are observed (as opposed to latent)
variables.

The corresponding LISREL Syntax file is straightforward and shown on page 5.

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LISREL syntax file for the path analysis (testing the mediation model):

Raw data from File Mediator_1.psf


Relationships
buy = enjoy
read = enjoy buy
LISREL Output: ND = 3 SC
Path Diagram
End of Problem

Rather than conducting the outlined three Multiple Linear Regression Analyses in
SPSS this simple LISREL syntax file results in the corresponding output!

LISREL output depicting the mediation model (standardized solution)

.64
Enjoy (X) Read (Y)

.43 .47

Buy (M)

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Appendix: SPSS outputs for the mediator analysis

Regression 1
Model Summary

Adjusted R Std. Error of the


Model R R Square Square Estimate
a
1 .732 .536 .524 2.459

a. Predictors: (Constant), enjoy

b
ANOVA

Model Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.


a
1 Regression 265.340 1 265.340 43.885 .000

Residual 229.760 38 6.046

Total 495.100 39

a. Predictors: (Constant), enjoy;

b. Dependent Variable: read

a
Coefficients

Standardized
Unstandardized Coefficients Coefficients

Model B Std. Error Beta t Sig.

1 (Constant) 4.331 .785 5.517 .000

enjoy .487 .074 .732 6.625 .000

a. Dependent Variable: read

Regression 2

Model Summary

Adjusted R Std. Error of the


Model R R Square Square Estimate
a
1 .644 .415 .399 6.328

a. Predictors: (Constant), enjoy

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b
ANOVA

Model Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.


a
1 Regression 1078.431 1 1078.431 26.933 .000

Residual 1521.544 38 40.041

Total 2599.975 39

a. Predictors: (Constant), enjoy

b. Dependent Variable: buy

a
Coefficients

Standardized
Unstandardized Coefficients Coefficients

Model B Std. Error Beta t Sig.

1 (Constant) 6.616 2.020 3.274 .002

enjoy .982 .189 .644 5.190 .000

a. Dependent Variable: buy

Regression 3

Model Summary

Adjusted R Std. Error of the


Model R R Square Square Estimate
a
1 .816 .666 .647 2.116

a. Predictors: (Constant), buy, enjoy

b
ANOVA

Model Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.


a
1 Regression 329.489 2 164.745 36.806 .000

Residual 165.611 37 4.476

Total 495.100 39

a. Predictors: (Constant), buy, enjoy

b. Dependent Variable: read

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a
Coefficients

Standardized
Unstandardized Coefficients Coefficients

Model B Std. Error Beta t Sig.

1 (Constant) 2.973 .765 3.887 .000

enjoy .286 .083 .429 3.452 .001

buy .205 .054 .471 3.786 .001

a. Dependent Variable: read

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