A Mediating Effect of Negative Emotions on the Link Between Multiple Sources of Strain and Suicidal Ideation: Longitudinal Mediation Models Calculating the Product of Coefficients in Comparison with the Causal Steps Approach

• In Event: Innovations in Quantitative Modeling

Abstract

Mediation tests are common in the behavioral science; yet limited research has tested mediated hypotheses in the methodological literature. Recent work suggests that a variety of strains contributes to suicidal ideation, and it indirectly affects suicidal ideation through the negative affective states. The goal of the study is to estimate both if the mediated effect is non-zero and the extent to which the mediating negative emotions variable transmits the effect of strains to suicidal ideation. Self-reported data from youth (N=750) were utilized for the mediation test. Results found that bullying victimization, child abuse, and peer conflict had a direct effect of suicidal ideation via the causal steps approach. Also, the study showed that a variety of strains indirectly affected suicidal ideation through negative emotions despite no significance of its direct effect in the alternative methodology (the product of coefficients approach). Thus, the study suggested that the significant overall relation between the multiple sources of strain and suicidal ideation (X -> Y), before adjusted for the mediating negative emotions variable was not required. Lastly, the study provided M-plus syntax to facilitate the use of the product of coefficients approach in applications.

Authors

• Sujung Cho, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

• Hyesun Kim, Worcester State University