mediation analysis

Mediation analysis is a statistical method used to understand how one factor influences another through a third factor. Imagine you want to know if exercise improves mood. Mediation analysis can help determine if the improvement in mood happens because exercise increases self-esteem. In this example, exercise is the independent variable, mood is the dependent variable, and self-esteem is the mediator. By identifying these relationships, researchers can better understand the pathways that connect different factors, helping to clarify how and why certain effects occur.