The Four Mediators

The four mediators are factors that influence how an initial cause leads to an outcome. They are: 1) **Mediator** – a variable that explains the connection, showing how or why the effect occurs; 2) **Moderator** – a factor that changes the strength or direction of the relationship; 3) **Confounder** – an external factor that affects both the cause and the outcome, potentially biasing results; 4) **Mediator-moderator** – a variable that not only explains the relationship but also influences how that relationship varies across different groups. Together, they help us understand the complexity behind causal processes.