Causal Decomposition Analysis With Time-Varying Mediators

Designing Individualized Interventions to Reduce Social Disparities

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2331180
AutoresSoojin Park (0000-0003-0288-5589, School of Education, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA, autor correspondente), Namhwa Lee (0009-0009-3416-6512, Statistics, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA), Rafael Quintana (0000-0003-4776-9362, University of Kansas)
Ano2024
Volume55
Fascículo1
Páginas51-84
Data de publicação2024-07-26
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociological Methods & Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0049-1241 • E-ISSN: 1552-8294
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/00491241241264562
OpenAlexW4401031795
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas36

Causal decomposition analysis aims to identify risk factors (referred to as 'mediators') that contribute to social disparities in an outcome. Despite promising developments in causal decomposition analysis, current methods are limited to addressing a time-fixed mediator and outcome only, which has restricted our understanding of the causal mechanisms underlying social disparities. In particular, existing approaches largely overlook individual characteristics when designing (hypothetical) interventions to reduce disparities. To address this issue, we extend current longitudinal mediation approaches to the context of disparities research. Specifically, we develop a novel decomposition analysis method that addresses individual characteristics by (a) using optimal dynamic treatment regimes (DTRs) and (b) conditioning on a selective set of individual characteristics. Incorporating optimal DTRs into the design of interventions can be used to strike a balance between equity (reducing disparities) and excellence (improving individuals' outcomes). We illustrate the proposed method using the High School Longitudinal Study data

Causal analysis · Causal inference · Decomposition · Econometrics · Economics · Psychological intervention · Advanced Causal Inference Techniques · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Computer Science · Psychology · Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research