Mediation Role Research Articles

The Mediator Role of Social-Emotional Learning Skills in the Relationship Between Depression and Mental Well-Being

Well-being is a multifaceted concept encompassing a broad spectrum of dimensions, including mental well-being, which has been an appealing area of study for scholars from different parts of the world. The current study aims to explore the relationship among depression, social-emotional learning skills, and mental well-being in a conveniently selected sample of college students. The sample consisted of 237 public school undergraduate students, of whom 151 (63.29%) were women. The results indicated that social-emotional learning skills partially mediated the relationship between depression and mental well-being. The findings show that social-emotional learning skills pose a protective factor against lower levels of mental well-being occurring as the result of depressive symptoms. The overall model explained 32% of variance in mental well-being. Findings were discussed in the light of the relevant literature. Through synthesizing current literature knowledge and results derived, this study aims to provide a foundation for further research and practice that promotes mental well-being.

Cultural Identity, Experience Quality and Revisit Intention to Mount Tai as A Heritage Tourism Destinations: Mediation Roles of Perceived Value, Perceived Destination Image and Satisfaction

Cultural Identity, Experience Quality and Revisit Intention to Mount Tai as A Heritage Tourism Destinations: Mediation Roles of Perceived Value, Perceived Destination Image and Satisfaction

Good Together Makes it Better?

Abstract: Introduction: Informal caregiving can lead to burnout. The relationship between burnout and negative states has been the subject of extensive research. This study analyzes the mediation role of a positive psychological variable – the quality of the carer-patient relationship – between psychological distress and informal carers’ burnout. Methods: We recruited Portuguese informal carers of adult cancer patients online ( N = 92) to answer the Quality of Carer-Patient Relationship Scale gauging relationship quality, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales assessing psychological distress, and the Maslach Burnout Interview-Human Services Survey evaluating the dimensions of burnout, depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and reduced personal accomplishment. The cross-sectional data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlations, multiple regressions, and simple mediation analysis. Results: Our results show that psychological distress variables directly affect burnout dimensions, and that relationship quality has a significant indirect effect on each burnout dimension, suggesting that relationship quality partially mediates the association between each distress dimension – depression, anxiety, and stress – and each of the burnout components – depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and personal accomplishment. Discussion/Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of intervening in informal caregiver mental health and patient-caregiver relationships and encourages further investigation into the dynamics of the studied variables.

Preconception exposure to bisphenol A and its alternatives: Effects on female fecundity mediated by oxidative stress and ovarian reserve.

Various 'Bisphenol A (BPA)-free' alternatives have emerged in numerous personal products in recent years. However, it remains unclear whether BPA analogs affect female fecundity and possible biological mechanisms. We aimed to evaluate the relationships of bisphenol analogs with female fecundability and infertility and whether oxidative stress, inflammation, and ovarian reserve may play a mediation role in such associations. This prospective preconception cohort study included 957 couples who attempted pregnancy. BPA and six alternatives were measured in women's urine samples. Bisphenol analogs-outcome associations were estimated using discrete-time Cox hazards and logistic regression models. A quantile g-computation (QGC) methodology was further applied to assess the joint effects of co-exposure to bisphenol analogs on fecundity. We also quantified three biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), to explore possible biological pathways. Using an integrated analytical approach consisting of both single-pollutant and mixture models, we found that BPA and bisphenol AP (BPAP) were significantly associated with decreased fecundability (adjusted fecundability ratio (aFR) = 0.87, 95%CI:0.81, 0.94 for BPA; aFR = 0.64, 95%CI: 0.48, 0.84 for BPAP) and increased risk of infertility (adjusted odd ratio (aOR) = 1.23, 95%CI:1.06, 1.44 for BPA; aOR = 2.27, 95%CI:1.29, 3.99 for BPAP) after controlling for other bisphenol analogs. The link between BPA and prolonged time to pregnancy was more prominent in overweight or obese women and those who had regular menstrual cycles. Bisphenol AF was associated with impaired fecundity in women aged 35 years or older. The mixed effects of bisphenol analogs on fecundity were statistically non-significant. Mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of urinary MDA and serum AMH in bisphenol analogs-induced impaired fecundity, with all average causal mediation effects (ACME) showing statistical significance (PACME < 0.05). Our prospective preconception cohort study suggests that BPA and BPAP may be associated with impaired female fecundity. Increased oxidative stress and decreased ovarian reserve may be the underlying pathways.

Proteomic signatures of ambient air pollution and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank.

Air pollution has been linked with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the underlying mechanisms characterized by perturbations in the circulating proteome profile are largely unknown. Therefore, we included 51,357 participants from the UK Biobank with 2941 plasma proteins measured in blood samples collected between 2006 and 2010, measurements of annual fine particular matter <2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and follow-up data on NAFLD (743 incident cases occurred over a median follow-up of 13.6 years). Multiple linear regression was used to identify proteins associated with PM2.5 and NO2. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess associations of PM2.5 and NO2 and identified proteins with incident NAFLD. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore the mediation role of proteins in the associations between air pollution and incident NAFLD. After adjusting for selected covariates, PM2.5 (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.57, 95%CI:1.27, 5.21, per ln increase) and NO2 (HR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.10, 1.84, per ln increase) were positively associated with incident NAFLD. We identified 138 proteins associated with PM2.5 (92 positively, 46 inversely, FDR <0.05) and 143 with NO2 (100 positively, 43 inversely). Of the proteins that were significantly associated with both PM2.5 and NO2, 93 (79 positively, 14 inversely) and 79 (69 positively, 10 inversely) were significantly associated with incident NAFLD. Furthermore, 84 PM2.5-associated proteins and 66 NO2-associated proteins significantly mediated the corresponding association between air pollutants and incident NAFLD, with the proportion of mediation effects ranging from 3.2 % to 27.3 % for PM2.5 and 2.6 % to 20.8 % for NO2, respectively. Of note, the majority of significant mediating proteins were enriched in pathways of cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor. Our findings suggested that long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD partially by perturbating circulating proteins involved in pathways of inflammation and immunity responses.

Exploring the role of sustainability reporting strategies in promoting sustainable development in social economy entities: The circular economy as a mediator

AbstractThis study focused on the relationship between sustainability reporting (SR), the circular economy (CE), and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including an examination of the mediator role of the CE in the SR–SDGs relationship. The SR concept refers to the ways in which companies communicate with their internal and external stakeholders about their sustainability initiatives. Researchers have confirmed that the CE contributes to the achievement of SDGs based on SR. However, the literature does not offer any comprehensive frameworks that integrate these three concepts, which constitutes an important research gap. More specifically, very few studies have explored how social economy entities (SEEs) report the ways they contribute to achieving the SDGs while implementing CE practices. This research thus sought to make a significant contribution to filling this lacuna. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine how SR influences SDGs and how SR promotes these goals through the CE. Variance‐based structural equation modeling via partial least squares was applied to process data on a sample of 90 SEEs in Spain. The results show that entities that provide sufficient SR often communicate how they are implementing SDGs. CE practices have a significant effect on this SR–SDGs relationship. The findings thus make an important contribution to the literature by exploring the link between these three strategies (i.e., SR, the SDGs, and the CE) in organizational contexts and thus providing a foundation for new business models.

Understanding the triangular theory of love in entrepreneurial ventures! Linking love dimensions to business performance through employee loyalty

PurposeThis study examines the mediating effect of employee loyalty on the relationship between love dimensions as adapted from the triangular theory of love and business performance of entrepreneurial ventures.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed structural equation modelling in data analysis. However, before conducting confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis, exploratory factor analysis was conducted because most of the items used were new to human resource management (employee–organization relationship), especially among entrepreneurial ventures. Additionally, a Hayes’ PROCESS mediation test was conducted to analyze the mediation effect of employee loyalty.FindingsThe findings suggest that love dimensions such as employee intimacy, employee passion and employee commitment have positive and significant relationships with employee loyalty. It also appears that employee loyalty plays a significant mediation role in the relationship between love dimensions and business performance of entrepreneurial ventures.Practical implicationsThe study’s findings have several implications. However, all of them are developed to include initiatives related to improving business performance through increasing employee intimacy, employee passion, employee commitment and employee loyalty.Originality/valueThe application of the triangular theory of love adds to human resource management and entrepreneurship literature. Very few studies have focused on the love relationship between employees and their organizations especially among entrepreneurial ventures in developing countries. Since in the current settings of business practices employees are considered as important internal customers, extending the triangular theory of love to employee and organizational relationships is critical, because creating an employee–job relationship is considered a short-term emotional feeling. Therefore, there is a need to look into a long-lasting love relationship between employees and their organizations. This is important for increasing employee intent to stay and loyalty within the entrepreneurial ventures.

The Effect of Emotional Coworker Support on Work Engagement Among Pediatric Health Care Providers: The Mediator Role of Emotional Regulation.

Previous findings demonstrated that healthcare workers with a high level of social support are likely to engage in their work. Healthcare workers are not only engaged in the physical problems of their patients but also in their emotional difficulties. Pediatric professionals must express and regulate their own emotions during their interactions with young patients and their families. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of coworkers' emotional support on healthcare workers' work engagement in pediatric healthcare settings and the emotional regulation mechanisms by which emotional coworker support leads to work engagement. A cross-sectional study was distributed in a Belgian pediatric hospital between October 2021 and December 2021. The sample consisted of 274 healthcare workers who were in direct contact with patients. Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of measures of coworker emotional support, work engagement, emotional suppression, and cognitive reevaluation. Emotional suppression partially mediated the effects of perceived emotional coworker support on work engagement. Coworkers' emotional support fosters work engagement by reducing the negative effects of emotional suppression. Moreover, cognitive evaluation was positively associated with work engagement. These results provide insight into the influence of perceived emotional coworkers, emotional suppression, and cognitive reevaluation on work engagement.

The protective effect of higher serum triacylglycerol (51:4) levels against Parkinson's disease.

Emerging evidence has shown a strong correlation between serum triacylglycerol (TAG) levels, the inflammatory response, and Parkinson's disease (PD) onset. However, the causal relationship between TAG levels and PD has not been well-established. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum TAG levels and risk of PD and explore the potential mediating role of circulating immune cells and inflammatory proteins. We utilised genotype data from the GeneRISK cohort, and summary data from genome wide association studies investigating PD, circulating immune cells, inflammatory proteins, and plasma lipidomes. Using Mendelian randomization (MR) and multivariate MR (MVMR) analysis, we further adjusted for phosphatidylcholine (17:0_18:1) and triacylglycerol (58:7). Our results suggested a robust causal link between higher serum TAG (51:4) levels and a decreased risk of PD, with one standard deviation genetically instrumented higher serum TAG (51:4) level leading to a 21 percent [95% CI, 0.66 - 0.96] reduction in the risk of PD (p = 0.015). Additionally, the results of the mediation analysis suggested a possible role for mediation through circulating immune cells (including IgD-CD38-B cells and resting CD4 regulatory T cells), but not circulating inflammatory proteins, in the causal relationship between the plasma lipidomes and PD. Our study confirms a causal relationship between higher serum TAG (51:4) levels and a lower risk of PD and clarifies a possible role for mediation through circulating immune cells, but not inflammatory proteins. These findings indicate that serum triacylglycerol (51:4) regulates immunity to effectively lower the risk of PD.

The Role of Mediation in the Settlement of Family Disputes in Kazakhstan: A Sociological Study

The study aimed to examine the importance and necessity of using mediation in resolving family disputes in Kazakhstan. From February to August 2020, a sociological study was conducted in Kazakhstan to identify the main causes of modern family problems, the functions of mediation and mediators in dispute resolution. The study involved 1,200 respondents. Data collection methods included both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study was based on a survey of respondents in major cities of Kazakhstan. The study showed that factors such as lack of love and understanding, financial difficulties, and interference from relatives contribute to the escalation of family disputes leading to breakups. It also confirmed the important role of mediators in reaching appropriate and effective solutions, emphasizing the need to strengthen mediator training, legislative support for free mediation services for vulnerable groups, guaranteed payment for mediation services, and promotion of mediation through local media and service centers.

Recycling Behavior amid Disruptions

This study highlights key variables affecting Lebanese recycling behavior while revealing the mediation role of intention, and the moderation role that government and appropriate infrastructure might play in encouraging eco-friendly behaviors. Quantitative data collected from 317 respondents were analyzed with the structural equation modeling, using SPSS/AMOS. Findings reveal that attitude, social norms, and awareness affect behavior directly and indirectly through intention, leading to active recycling behaviors, thus highlighting the intention’s partial mediation role. This is not the case for perceived behavioral control. The moderators’ roles are also found insignificant on the intentions/behaviors relationship. Since findings did not fully support the theory of planned behavior adopted for recycling behaviors, the theory’s validation seems to be contingent on the context in which it is being tested, especially in a developing, financially collapsed country. Findings imply that the waste management market should be liberalized, anytime trust in a corrupted government is lost.

Causal role of the pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside degradation superpathway mediation in Guillain-Barré Syndrome via the HVEM on CD4 + and CD8 + T cells

Immune system regulation is a key indicator of the gut microbiota (GM) influencing disease development. The causal role of the GM in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and whether it can be mediated by immune cells is unknown. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for the GM were obtained from the Dutch Microbiota Project (n = 7,738) and the FINRISK 2002 (FR02) cohort (n = 5,959). Inverse variance weighting method (IVW) were used as the main method to evaluate the causal relationship between GM and GBS. Subsequently, the mediating effects of 731 immune traits were evaluated. Additionally, we also executed the Bayesian Weighting algorithm for verification. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis determined the protective effect of the pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside degradation superpathway on GBS (IVW: P = 0.0019, OR = 0.4508). It is worth noting that in the causal effects of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside degradation superpathway on GBS, the mediated proportions of herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) ( HVEM on CM CD4 + , HVEM on naive CD4 + , HVEM on CD45RA − CD4 + , HVEM on CM CD8br) in the T cell maturation stage on GBS were -0.0398, -0.0452, -0.0414, -0.0425, accounting for 5.00%, 5.67%, 5.19% and 5.34% of the total effect. 11 types of intestinal bacteria might be involved in the pyrimidine deoxyriboside degradation superpathway, including Staphylococcus A fleurettii, AR31,CAG-274 sp000432155, Photobacterium, Acetobacteraceae, Dysgonomonadaceae, NK4A144,Leptospirae, CAG-81 sp000435795, Leptospirales and CAG-873 sp001701165. This study suggests that there is a causal relationship between pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside degradation superpathway and GBS, which may be mediated by HVEM on CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. As a bidirectional molecular switch, HVEM plays an important role in T cell regulation. 11 intestinal flora were found to be involved in pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside degradation superpathway, and their changes may be related to the occurrence of GBS. However, extensive research is still warranted before microbiome sequencing can be used for prevention and targeted treatment of GBS.

Parental obesity, health determinants, and cardiometabolic risk according to sleep duration in schoolchildren: analysis through structural equations

Backgroundthe independent association between parental obesity, sleep and lifestyle habits with cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents has been widely explored in the literature. Our study represents a novel approach to comprehensively investigate a complex model encompassing various aspects associated with cardiometabolic risk in youth. Thus, the aim of the present study was to verify the relationship between parental obesity and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents, considering the mediator role of health indicators according to sleep time.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 3,973 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years attending public and private schools in a city located in Southern Brazil. Sleep duration, lifestyle, physical activity, natural food consumption, and parental obesity were evaluated through self-reported questionnaires. Physical fitness was evaluated according to the protocols of Projeto Esporte Brasil. The body fat percentage was evaluated through the measures of tricipital and subscapular folds, and the body mass index was calculated. The clustered metabolic risk score (cMetS) considered the summing z-scores of waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and fasting glucose, divided by five. A structural equation model was applied for statistical analysis. Results: The relationship between parental obesity and cardiometabolic risk was observed in children and adolescents with adequate sleep, being significant (p < 0.05) mediated by physical activity, natural food, physical fitness, and lifestyle. This was also observed when parental education was included in the inadequate sleep cluster model. Conclusion: Present findings underscore the importance of sufficient sleep duration as a critical factor in understanding the complex interplay between parental obesity and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents.

The role of emotional mediation in visitor experiences in art tourism: based on stimulus-organism-response model

The role of emotional mediation in visitor experiences in art tourism: based on stimulus-organism-response model

Role of social-cognitive factors in the relationship between e-cigarette use and subsequent cigarette smoking among U.S. youth: A causal mediation analysis

ObjectiveE-cigarette use is associated with subsequent cigarette smoking among youth. The current study examined the mediating role of social-cognitive factors in this association. MethodsData from four waves of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study (2013/4 – 2017/8) were analyzed. Among youth who had heard about e-cigarettes at Wave 1 but never used cigarettes before Wave 2, we conducted both causal and traditional mediation analyses to examine the mediated effect of social-cognitive factors (including relative harm perception of e-cigarettes versus cigarettes, harm perception of e-cigarette use, perceptions of addictiveness of e-cigarette use, and e-cigarette use among best friends) in the association between e-cigarette use and subsequent cigarette ever or current smoking, adjusting for covariates. We included sampling weights in all analyses; hence, results are generalizable to the U.S. youth (12 – 14 years) from the 2013–2014 cohort. ResultsResults from causal mediation analyses indicated that the total effect of e-cigarette use, compared to no use, increased the risk of cigarette ever smoking (20.9 %) and current smoking (4.6 %). A portion of this effect (4.2 % − 15.1 % for ever smoking; less than 10.6 % for current smoking) can be attributed to changes in social-cognitive factors induced by e-cigarette use. However, these mediated effects were small in magnitude relative to their standard errors and not statistically significant. Results from the traditional mediation analyses largely aligned with these findings, except for a few small sized pathways. ConclusionsFor the U.S. youth population, social-cognitive factors may only minimally or not at all mediate the association between e-cigarette use and subsequent cigarette smoking. Further investigation into the mediation role of social-cognitive factors is warranted. Tobacco control interventions that focus on cigarette smoking initiation among youth should target other mediating factors.

The Mediation and Moderation Roles in the influence of Digital Competence and Religious Values on the Sustainability of Sharia Economic Businesses

The Mediation and Moderation Roles in the influence of Digital Competence and Religious Values on the Sustainability of Sharia Economic Businesses

Love is a Losing Game: Aggression as a Function of Attachment and Gender Among Cape Verdean Young Adults

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the association between inhibition of exploration and individuality with both mother and father figure, ambivalent attachment style, and aggression dimensions (anger, hostility, physical, and verbal aggression) among Cape Verdean young adults in a romantic relationship. Moreover, the study proposed aggression dimensions as a mediator between the relationship of the aforementioned variables. The study followed a cross-sectional design performed between May and December 2023 among 123 Cape Verdean young adults aged 18 to 35 who reported to have been in an intimate relationship in the last 6 months. Hayes’ PROCESS macro for mediation analysis in SPSS was used to test the hypothesized model. The results suggested that anger and hostility had a significant relationship with inhibition of exploration and individuality, with the mother figure and ambivalent attachment style. Women manifested higher levels of anger and hostility, as well as ambivalent attachment in comparison to men. Additionally, hostility played a significant mediator role between the relationship of the aforementioned variables. The present study adds to the literature by addressing differences in genders’ manifestation of aggressive behaviors in romantic relationships and provides a critical perspective of existing literature with recommendations and limitations of the field.

Lipid-lowering drugs, circulating inflammatory factors, and atrial fibrillation: a mediation Mendelian randomization study

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown an association between lipid-lowering drugs, circulating inflammatory factors, and atrial fibrillation (AF), but the specific effects of lipid-lowering drugs on AF and whether they can be mediated by circulating inflammatory factors remain unclear.MethodsWe collected 10 genetic variants encoding lipid-lowering drug targets (LDLR, HMGCR, PCSK9, NPC1L1, APOB, APOB, ABCG5, ABCG8, LPL, APOC3, and PPARA) and AF based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. Drug target Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to explore the causal relationship between lipid-lowering drugs and AF. In addition, we performed a mediation analysis of 91 circulating inflammatory factors to explore potential mediators. Sensitivity analyses were performed to verify the reliability of the MR Results by MR-Egger intercept test, Cochran's Q test and leave-one-out test.ResultsThe results of IVW method showed that LPL agonist had a protective effect on AF(OR = 0. 854, 95%CI: 0.816–0.894, P = 1.844E-11). However, the other nine lipid-lowering drug targets had no significant effect on AF. Notably, we found a mediator role of Fibroblast Growth Factor 5 (FGF5) in the protective effect of LPL agonist on AF with a mediator ratio of 9.22%. Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of our findings, indicating a possible mediating pathway by which LPL agonists affect the risk of AF.ConclusionOur study provides new insights into the complex interactions among lipid-lowering agents, circulating inflammatory factors and AF, and also identified a potential mediating role of FGF5 in the pathogenesis of AF. Our findings highlight the potential of LPL agonists and targeting specific inflammatory factors for therapeutic intervention in AF, providing promising avenues for future research and clinical strategies for the management and prevention of AF.

The adoption of fast payment systems (FPS) in Latin America: the role of financial literacy and cash-related beliefs

PurposeIn this paper, we ask: how do individual factors affect individuals’ intentions of adopting fast payment systems (FPS)? We examine the role of financial literacy and beliefs about cash as individual-related variables that complement the technology acceptance model (TAM) in explaining the individuals’ intention to adopt financial innovations.Design/methodology/approachWe surveyed consumers in 11 Latin American countries to measure relevant variables. By applying structural equation modeling, we extended the TAM. We demonstrated that financial literacy and beliefs about cash contribute to developing a fine-grained understanding of what stimulates individuals’ adoption of financial innovations like FPS.FindingsOur results support the claim that individuals with higher levels of financial literacy exhibit a higher intention to adopt FPS through the mediation role of beliefs about cash, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and attitude.Practical implicationsTo improve FPS’s acceptance probability, designers must add highly usable platforms. However, it could be more important to increase the perceived usefulness of FPS as the system competes directly with traditional payment methods such as cash. If individuals exhibit strong positive beliefs about cash, their attitudes and intentions of adopting FPS will decrease. In addition, policymakers and designers may modify beliefs about cash individuals exhibit by identifying and intervening in their determinants (e.g. financial literacy).Originality/valueBesides technology-related factors, we demonstrate that beliefs about alternative technologies (e.g. cash) influence the intention to adopt financial innovations like FPS.

How Does Knowledge Coupling Affect Innovation Performance? The Mediation Role of Exploratory and Exploitative Innovation

How Does Knowledge Coupling Affect Innovation Performance? The Mediation Role of Exploratory and Exploitative Innovation