A Systematic Literature Review of Causal Mediation Analysis in Social Psychology
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This study was presented by Felix Thoemmes. In this study, I systematically review the use of causal mediation analysis in social psychology, focusing on how researchers connect statistical analyses to claims about psychological mechanisms. I examine research designs, analytic approaches, and the assumptions needed to interpret mediation effects causally. By distinguishing statistical mediation from causal identification, this review evaluates how methodological practices support causal interpretations and highlights considerations for designing, analyzing, and reporting mediation studies in social psychology.