Journal
ORGANIZATIONAL RESEARCH METHODS
Volume 12, Issue 4, Pages 695-719Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1177/1094428108327450
Keywords
multilevel; mediation; hierarchical linear models; random coefficient regression
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Testing multilevel mediation using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) has gained tremendous popularity in recent years. However, potential confounding in multilevel mediation effect estimates can arise in these models when within-group effects differ from between-group effects. This study summarizes three types of HLM-based multilevel mediation models, and then explains that in two types of these models confounding can be produced and erroneous conclusions may be derived when using popularly recommended procedures. A Monte Carlo simulation study illustrates that these procedures can underestimate or overestimate true mediation effects. Recommendations are provided for appropriately testing multilevel mediation and for differentiating within-group versus between-group effects in multilevel settings.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available