Latently Mediating
A Bayesian Take on Causal Mediation Analysis with Structured Survey Data
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19291784 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Alessandro Varacca (0000-0003-4362-0325, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 305-327 |
| Publication date | 2025-03-04 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Multivariate Behavioral Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0027-3171 • E-ISSN: 1532-7906 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00273171.2024.2424514 |
| PMID | 39552281 |
| OpenAlex | W4404473994 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 73 |
In this paper, we propose a Bayesian causal mediation approach to the analysis of experimental data when both the outcome and the mediator are measured through structured questionnaires based on Likert-scaled inquiries. Our estimation strategy builds upon the error-in-variables literature and, specifically, it leverages Item Response Theory to explicitly model the observed surrogate mediator and outcome measures. We employ their elicited latent counterparts in a simple g-computation algorithm, where we exploit the fundamental identifying assumptions of causal mediation analysis to impute all the relevant counterfactuals and estimate the causal parameters of interest. We finally devise a sensitivity analysis procedure to test the robustness of the proposed methods to the restrictive requirement of mediator's conditional ignorability. We demonstrate the functioning of our proposed methodology through an empirical application using survey data from an online experiment on food purchasing intentions and the effect of different labeling regimes
Bayesian probability · Causal inference · Causal model · Counterfactual conditional · Counterfactual thinking · Data mining · Econometrics · Machine learning · Mediation · Missing data · Robustness (evolution) · Statistics · Advanced Causal Inference Techniques · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · Economic and Environmental Valuation · Mathematics · Psychology · Social Psychology · Statistical Methods and Bayesian Inference
Causal Inference for Statistics, Social, and Biomedical Sciences
Data Analysis Using Regression and Multilevel/Hierarchical Models
Consumer effects of front-of-package nutrition labeling
Moving beyond noninformative priors
Conceptual issues concerning mediation, interventions and composition
A weakly informative default prior distribution for logistic and other regression models
Identification, Inference and Sensitivity Analysis for Causal Mediation Effects
Advances in Mediation Analysis
Social cognitive theory of posttraumatic recovery
Implementation of G-Computation on a Simulated Data Set
Technology readiness
Bart
Solving Measurement Problems With the Rasch Model
Bayesian Versus Frequentist Estimation for Structural Equation Models in Small Sample Contexts
A Note on the Relation Between Factor Analytic and Item Response Theory Models
A Generalized Partial Credit Model
Causal Effects in Mediation Modeling
Intention-behaviour gap and perceived behavioural control-behaviour gap in theory of planned behaviour
Bayesian mediation analysis.
On the Relationship between iTem Response Theory and Factor Analysis of Discretized Variables
The Prior Can Often Only Be Understood in the Context of the Likelihood
Estimating causal effects of treatments in randomized and nonrandomized studies.
A general approach to causal mediation analysis.
Bayesian Causal Mediation Analysis with Latent Mediators and Survival Outcome
A General Bayesian Multidimensional Item Response Theory Model for Small and Large Samples
Using the Stan Program for Bayesian Item Response Theory
Why Do Tougher Caseworkers Increase Employment? The Role of Program Assignment as a Causal Mechanism
Bayesian Causal Mediation Analysis for Group Randomized Designs with Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Effects
Estimation of Controlled Direct Effects in Longitudinal Mediation Analyses with Latent Variables in Randomized Studies
Identifying Mechanisms Behind Policy Interventions via Causal Mediation Analysis
The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research
Practical Issues in Implementing and Understanding Bayesian Ideal Point Estimation
Best Practices for Developing and Validating Scales for Health, Social, and Behavioral Research
Unpacking the Black Box of Causality
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |