Meta-analytic Structural Equation Modeling Research Articles

Customer mistreatment and employees’ coping strategies: A Meta-SEM analysis

Despite the numerous studies on customer mistreatment, our understanding of the effectiveness of coping strategies for customer mistreatment remains limited. This research provides a meta-analytic structural equation modeling (meta-SEM) analysis to explore the distinctive coping types that employees may use when encountering customer mistreatment, as well as the subsequent outcomes. Drawing on the regulatory focus theory and the coping toward customer mistreatment, we categorize various coping strategies into three types (i.e., goal-oriented promotive coping, confrontation-oriented promotive coping, and preventive coping), and propose that these coping types have differential relationships with outcomes. Through a meta-SEM analysis based on 143 articles and 155 independent samples (N = 44,378), we found that these three coping types significantly mediated the mistreatment–outcomes relationships, and that goal-oriented promotive coping was a more beneficial type of coping. This research provides significant implications for employees and organizations to effectively cope with customer mistreatment.

Addressing Endogeneity in Meta-Analysis: Instrumental Variable Based Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modeling

In management research, meta-analysis is often used to aggregate findings from observational studies that lack random assignment to predictors (e.g., surveys), which may pose challenges in making accurate inferences due to the correlational nature of effect sizes. To improve inferential accuracy, we show how instrumental variable (IV) methods can be integrated into meta-analysis to help researchers obtain unbiased estimates. Our IV-based meta-analytic structural equation modeling (IV-MASEM) method relies on the fact that IVs can be incorporated into SEM, and meta-analytic effect sizes from correlational research can be used for MASEM. Conveniently, IV-MASEM does not require that each primary study measures all relevant variables, and it can address typical types of endogeneity, such as omitted variable bias. We clarify how the principles of IV-SEM can be applied to MASEM and then conduct three simulations to study the validity of IV-MASEM versus Univariate Meta-Analyses (UMA) and MASEMs that exclude IVs when the instruments were appropriate, inappropriate, and missing from a subset of primary studies. We also offer an illustrative study to demonstrate how to apply IV-MASEM to address endogeneity concerns in meta-analysis, which includes a new R function to test the qualifying conditions for IVs. We conclude with limitations and future directions for IV-MASEM.

Disentangling autonomy-supportive and psychologically controlling parenting: A meta-analysis of self-determination theory's dual process model across cultures.

Self-determination theory's (SDT) dual process model claims that parental autonomy support relates positively to child well-being, while psychologically controlling parenting is linked positively to child ill-being. We tested these claims using a combination of one-stage and univariate meta-analytic structural equation modeling with moderation (k = 238; n = 1,040, N = 126,423). In the univariate models, parental autonomy support was linked positively with child well-being, r = 0.30, 95% CI [0.26, 0.33], whereas parental psychological control was positively linked with child ill-being, r = 0.26, 95% CI [0.23, 0.28]. Consistent with SDT's dual process model, the one-stage model that controlled for the intercorrelations between predictors showed that parental autonomy support and psychological control had distinct links to child wellness outcomes. Parental autonomy support was linked positively with child well-being, even when accounting for psychological control, r = 0.26, 95% CI [0.20, 0.31], and parental psychological control was positively linked to child ill-being, controlling for autonomy support, r = 0.20, 95% CI [0.17, 0.23]. Crucially, the beneficial effects of parental autonomy support and the costs of psychological control applied across regions, degrees of national individualism and cultural hierarchy, as well as child developmental periods and sexes. These results help move the field beyond debates about whether autonomy is beneficial toward questions about manifestations of autonomy across groups and variations in its optimal support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Understanding the influencing factors of foreign language teachers’ work engagement: A meta-analytic structural equation model

The work engagement of foreign language teachers enhances both their performance and the quality of instruction. Recent studies have highlighted the pivotal roles of emotional intelligence, job burnout, and self-efficacy in fostering teachers' work engagement. Despite this, the complex interactions between these factors in the context of foreign language teaching remain underexplored. This study conducts a meta-analytic review to examine the connections among work engagement, emotional intelligence, burnout, and self-efficacy among foreign language educators. Utilizing a chain mediation model, it probes the mechanism through which emotional intelligence impacts work engagement, based on an analysis of 49 scholarly articles. Results from the meta-analysis robustly validate the hypothesized model. Specifically, emotional intelligence contributes to work engagement via four distinct routes: direct mediation through self-efficacy, direct mediation through job burnout, and chain mediation involving self-efficacy and job burnout. Of the evaluated factors, emotional intelligence had the most significant impact on enhancing work engagement. Implications of these findings may facilitate the training and ongoing professional development of foreign language teachers.

The Correlation Between Mindfulness, Decentering, and Psychological Problems: A Structural Equation Modeling Meta-Analysis

Abstract Objectives It has been assumed that decentering is one mechanism underlying the health-promoting benefits of mindfulness. This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of decentering in the relationship of mindfulness with psychological problems. Moreover, this study examined whether age and clinical status moderated this relationship. Method This study systematically reviewed prior studies published until May 2023. Data were extracted from survey results in observational studies and from baseline scores in intervention studies. The technique of meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) was applied to analyze the aggregated data. Moderator analyses examined the role of individual characteristics in the relations between (1) mindfulness and decentering, (2) decentering and psychological problems, and (3) mindfulness and psychological problems. Results The final meta-analysis included 110 effect sizes extracted from 57 studies, with a total number of 18,515 participants. Overall, the MASEM results showed that mindfulness had a positive, large direct effect on decentering (β = 0.42, 95% CI[0.38, 0.47]), and a negative, small-to-medium direct effect on psychological problems (β = − 0.25, 95% CI[− 0.31, − 0.20]). Decentering also had a negative, modest direct effect on psychological problems (β = − 0.24, 95% CI[− 0.29, − 0.19]). Regarding the indirect effect, decentering had a significant, small effect in the association between mindfulness and psychological problems (β = − 0.10, 95% CI[− 0.13, − 0.08]). Moderator analyses suggested that these effects were consistent across age and clinical status. Conclusions The current results provide preliminary evidence that the correlation between mindfulness and decentering carries over to psychological problems. Understanding this correlation is an essential step towards mapping out the underlying psychological processes moving from mindfulness to psychological outcomes. The cultivation of decentering skills should be embedded in mindfulness-based training to confer benefits on psychological problems. Moreover, secular programs that do not include cultural or spiritual aspects of mindfulness need to expand their current knowledge of what decentering involves and what impedes effective decentering. Preregistration This study is not preregistered.

A Review of Meta-Analyses of Correlation Coefficients on L2 Reading Comprehension

Quantitative meta-analyses have gained popularity among L2 reading researchers in recent years. Meta-analyses, especially meta-analyses that investigate the relationships among variables (e.g., meta-analyses of correlation coefficients, meta-analytic structural equation modeling), are well-suited for L2 reading research due to their componential nature. The present study reviews 14 meta-analyses on L2 reading comprehension published between 2010 and 2023, with a focus on their key study features and findings. While all of the 14 meta-analyses examined the relationship between one or more reading-related variables and L2 reading comprehension and yielded substantial convergence in their findings, their research focus and scope also varied widely, leading to some level of diversity in their scope of literature search, methods of analysis, and findings. We review our findings on the convergence and divergence of the study features across the 14 meta-analyses, summarize their key findings, and provide suggestions for future research.

The indirect relationship between employee job performance and voluntary turnover: A meta-analysis

Employee turnover brings lots of negative effects on organizations. Researchers have investigated why employees quit their jobs and found job performance to be an important predictor. Previous studies have proposed potential mediators of the performance-turnover relationship from job attitudes, job alternatives, and job embeddedness perspectives. Nevertheless, they have failed to provide sufficient empirical support for these three paths and which of these three mediating mechanisms matters most. To address these questions, we used meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) to examine these three mediating mechanisms between job performance and voluntary turnover. Drawing on 299 independent samples (N = 524,740), we found that job performance had a negative impact on employee voluntary turnover through desirability of movement and turnover intention, through job embeddedness and turnover intention, and a positive impact through ease of movement and turnover intention. Among these three paths, desirability of movement had the strongest mediating effect, followed by job embeddedness and ease of movement. Theoretical and practical implications as well as future directions were discussed.

Does Beauty Matter to Service Consumers? The Influence of Visual Appeal on Self-Service Technology (SST) Acceptance

The visual appeal of self-service interfaces is known to influence consumers’ subsequent evaluations of the system’s other features and enjoyment; however, the impact of visual appeal on subsequent judgments of system and information quality and hedonic motivation, and consequently on shaping behavioral intentions to use a particular self-service, has not been specifically studied. Therefore, this study examines the impact of visual appeal on the acceptance of self-service technologies using meta-analytic structural equation modeling with 63 independent samples (26,144 cumulative respondents) drawn from 58 empirical studies. As a result, visual appeal demonstrates strong correlations with system quality, information quality, and hedonic motivation and appears to indirectly influence perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and behavioral intention to use new SST. The findings shed light on the primacy effect of visual appeal on consumers’ acceptance of SSTs and the substantive effect of visual appeal in shaping perceptions of system and information quality.

Meta-analytic structural equation modeling for exploring workplace friendship, well-being, and organizational commitment

BACKGROUND: Workplace friendships, which are informal relationships in the workplace, foster mutual trust, assistance, and emotional support and create a sense of belonging among coworkers. Employees with positive perceptions of their job responsibilities, psychological needs, and work environment experience happiness, satisfaction, and an overall sense of well-being. A heightened sense of well-being in the workplace positively affects employee satisfaction with job tasks and the work environment, reinforcing employees’ sense of belonging and organizational commitment. OBJECTIVE: The study proposed and validated a theoretical model, with meta-analytic structural equation modeling employed to conduct quantitative, empirical research on workplace friendships, well-being, and organizational commitment in Taiwan and to analyze correlations between relevant variables. METHODS: The theoretical model was further validated through structural equation modeling, which yielded favorable goodness of fit in terms of various indicators. RESULTS: The mediating effect of well-being was verified through bootstrapping analysis. Within a 95% confidence interval, the total effect size of workplace friendships on organizational commitment was 0.549, which is the sum of its direct effect (0.255) and indirect effect (0.294). CONCLUSIONS: This finding indicates that well-being plays a mediating role in the association between workplace friendships and organizational commitment. The proposed theoretical model in this study is supported. Finally, the research results are discussed, and practical suggestions are provided.

Work pressure, coping styles and occupational burnout among Chinese police officers: a meta-analytic review

The present study conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to systematically review the relationship between occupational burnout and work pressure among Chinese police officers. Additionally, the study explored the mediating role of coping styles using a meta-analytic structural equation model. The investigation involved a thorough search of CNKI, PubMed, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, resulting in the identification of a total of 39 studies with 124 effect sizes and 14,089 police officers. The findings revealed a positive correlation between work pressure and occupational burnout among Chinese police officers (r = 0.410, 95% CI = [0.347, 0.469]). Furthermore, negative coping styles mediate the relationship between work pressure and occupational burnout. Importantly, these conclusions held true across various work regions for police officers. These results provide insights into the relationship magnitude between work pressure and occupational burnout in Chinese police work and shed light on the underlying mechanisms. Based on these findings, it is recommended that interventions focusing on reducing work pressure and fostering positive coping styles be implemented to mitigate occupational burnout among police officers.

Detecting causal relationships between work motivation and job performance: a meta-analytic review of cross-lagged studies

Given that competing hypotheses about the causal relationship between work motivation and job performance exist, the current research utilized meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) methodology to detect the causal relationships between work motivation and job performance. In particular, completing hypotheses were checked by applying longitudinal data that include 84 correlations (n = 4389) from 11 independent studies measuring both work motivation and job performance over two waves. We find that the effect of motivation (T1) on performance (T2), with performance (T1) controlled, was positive and significant (β = 0.143). However, the effect of performance (T1) on motivation (T2), with motivation (T1) controlled, was not significant. These findings remain stable and robust across different measures of job performance (task performance versus organizational citizenship behavior), different measures of work motivation (engagement versus other motivations), and different time lags (1–6 months versus 7–12 months), suggesting that work motivation is more likely to cause job performance than vice versa. Practical and theoretical contributions are discussed.

A meta-analysis of tourists’ destination visits and theory of planned behavior: the moderating roles of destination scale and cultural difference

ABSTRACT The literature has explored what motivates tourists to visit a place, but there has not been much work done to compile and synthesize the results of empirical investigations. This study meta-analytically reviews extant research in tourists’ destination visits and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) exploring the moderating roles of destination scale (large versus small) and cultural difference (Eastern versus Western). Using 99 individual samples (N = 46,307) with a series of meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM), this study demonstrated that the predictive power of TPB for tourists’ destination visits varies given the differences in destination scale and culture. There is a discussion of the findings’ significance for researchers and practitioners in the tourism field.

A comparison of univariate and meta-analytic structural equation modeling approaches to reliability generalization applied to the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

Reliability is a property of tests scores that varies from sample to sample. One way of generalizing reliability of a test is to perform a meta-analysis on some reliability estimator. In 2011, a reliability generalization meta-analysis on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was conducted, concluding that average alpha values for the MBI dimensions ranged from 0.71 to 0.88. In the present study, we aimed to update the average reliability values of the MBI by conducting a literature search from 2010 until now and comparing to statistical procedures of meta-analysis: the Univariate approach, that were used in the previous study, and a novel meta-analytic approach based on structural equation modeling. An estimation of average reliability was done based on 69 independent primary reliability coefficients for the Univariate approach. The average reliability was based on 9 independent studies in the case of the Meta-analytic Structural Equation Modeling (MASEM) approach. Given that MASEM has the additional capability of testing the internal structure of a test, we also fitted several models. The data was well-suited to the bifactor model, revealing the dominance of the general factor over the domain-specific ones. Acceptable overall alpha and omega coefficients were achieved for the two of the MBI dimensions, having depersonalization reliability estimates below recommendations. In general, the MBI can be viewed as a highly interconnected three-factor scale, being its appropriate for research purposes.

How can we further explore the link between self-criticism and self-compassion, and disordered eating? Commentary on Paranjothy and Wade's (2024).

Paranjothy and Wade's (2024, A meta-analysis of disordered eating and its association with self-criticism and self-compassion. International Journal of Eating Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24166) systematic review and meta-analysis of disordered eating and its association with self-criticism and self-compassion provides a valuable synthesis of 135 studies. They found that greater levels of self-criticism and increased disordered eating were associated with lower levels of self-compassion. These findings highlight the importance of further investigating the complex relationship between these variables to inform effective interventions. This commentary explores what the findings of Paranjothy and Wade (2024) tell us and how we can use their findings to address unresolved problems. I will focus on two primary areas in this commentary: (1) the specificity of self-criticism and (2) how we could use existing data to enhance the understanding of the etiology and maintenance of disordered eating in relation to self-criticism and self-compassion to conduct further research. This commentary argues that there is a need for refinement of the self-criticism construct (e.g., through qualitative research) to understand how self-criticism varies across different individuals and cultures, particularly for under-researched populations. I recommend further research using meta-analytic structural equation modeling to test different theoretical models to pin down how self-criticism and self-compassion function as mechanisms of change in disordered eating.

Examining the linkage between managerial ties and firm performance: The mediating role of marketing capabilities and moderation role of industry - A meta-analytic approach

This paper investigates the relationship between managerial ties (business and political ties) and firm performance (operational performance and innovation). We consider marketing capabilities as a mediating variable to analyze how it mediates the relationship between managerial ties and firm performance. Previous studies have often taken a piecemeal approach to examining the ties-performance linkage and have been limited by sample size. We use a meta-analytic structural equation modeling (meta-SEM) approach to analyze the proposed relationship. We consider 281 studies assessing 943,331 effect sizes to analyze the results. To investigate the relationship, we consider social exchange and resource-based theory. The results suggest that business (political) ties are positively (negatively) associated with operational performance, while both business and political ties are positively associated with innovation. Further, our result suggests that (a) approximately 14.2% of the effect of business ties on innovation is mediated by marketing capabilities and (b) industry type moderates the relationship between ties and performance. This study helps managers leverage managerial ties to improve firm performance and further suggests a proper mechanism through which firms can improve performance.

Tourist engagement: Toward an integrated framework using meta-analysis

Tourist engagement (TE) has gained prominence in academia and industry. While previous studies have focused on exploring TE in tourism and hospitality, no consolidated empirical study has been conducted. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis using data from 73 independent studies retrieved from 72 papers, with a total sample size of 41,757. Our analysis, using meta-analytic structural equation modelling, tested a conceptual framework and found that tourist experience and TE individually mediate tourists’ satisfaction, emotion, behavioral intention, and loyalty. Additionally, cultural (e.g., power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, indulgence) and economic (e.g., human development index) moderators influence TE. Our findings also suggest that popular global destinations enhance the relationship between tourist experience, engagement, and behavioral intention.

Robust evidence for the simple view of second language reading: Secondary meta-analysis of Jeon and Yamashita (2022)

Abstract This paper reports a complete secondary analysis of Jeon and Yamashita’s (2022) systematic review to build the second language (L2) model of the simple view of reading (SVR). The same meta-analytic methodologies were maintained, with the exception of applying meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM). This study successfully replicated some of the aggregated correlations but not others, owing to (a) the recoding of the original raw data to recreate a dataset and (b) the motivated change in sample selection from a longitudinal study for MASEM. The MASEM results extended previous findings that L2 comprehension skills contribute more to L2 reading comprehension than L2 decoding skills, and together explain a large amount of variance in L2 reading comprehension. The SVR model with metalinguistic skills showed their contribution to L2 decoding and comprehension skills, but no direct impact on L2 reading comprehension, supporting the parsimonious structure of SVR in L2.

The relation between number line performance and mathematics outcomes: Two meta-analyses.

Understanding the magnitudes represented by numerals is a core component of early mathematical development and is often assessed by accuracy in situating numerals and fractions on a number line. Performance on these measures is consistently related to performance in other mathematics domains, but the strength of these relations may be overestimated because general cognitive ability has not been fully controlled in prior studies. The first of two meta-analyses (162 studies, 33,101 participants) confirmed a relation between performance on whole number (r = 0.33) and fractions number (r = 0.41) lines and overall mathematics performance. These relations were generally consistent across content domains (e.g., algebra and computation) and other moderators. The second (71 studies, 14,543 participants) used meta-analytic structural equation modeling to confirm these relations while controlling general cognitive ability (defined by IQ and working memory measures) and, in one analysis, general mathematics competence. The relation between number line performance and general mathematics competence remained significant but reduced (β = 0.13). Controlling general cognitive ability, whole number line performance consistently predicted competence with fractions but not performance on numeracy or computations measures. The results suggest an understanding of the magnitudes represented by whole numbers might be particularly important for students' fractions learning. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Two meta-analyses examined the link between the number line and mathematics performance. The first revealed significant relations across domains (e.g., algebra and computation). The second controlled for general cognitive ability and resulted in reduced but still significant relations. The relation between number line and fractions performance was stronger than relations to other domains.

Emotion malleability beliefs matter in emotion regulation: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Individuals’ beliefs about the malleability of emotions have been theorised to play a role in their psychological distress by influencing emotion regulation processes, such as the use of emotion regulation strategies. We conducted a meta-analysis to test this idea across studies with a focus on the relationships between emotion malleability beliefs and five distinct emotion regulation strategies: cognitive reappraisal, suppression, avoidance, rumination, and acceptance. Further, using two-stage meta-analytic structural equation modelling (TSSEM), we examined whether the emotion regulation strategies mediate the cross-sectional relationship between emotion malleability beliefs and psychological distress across studies. Thirty-seven studies were included in the meta-analyses and 55 cross-sectional studies were included in the TSSEM. Results demonstrated that, across studies, emotion malleability beliefs were significantly associated with greater use of putatively helpful strategies (particularly with cognitive reappraisal) and less use of putatively unhelpful strategies (particularly with avoidance). The use of cognitive reappraisal and avoidance partially mediated the relationship between emotion malleability beliefs and psychological distress. These results highlight the importance of considering beliefs about the malleability of emotions in the context of emotion regulation. These findings suggest the potential role of emotion malleability beliefs in interventions for individuals with emotion regulation-related difficulties and psychological distress.

Short-Scale Construction Using Meta-Analytic Ant Colony Optimization

Abstract: The Need for Cognition Scale (NCS) is a self-report scale measuring individual differences in the tendency to engage in and enjoy thinking. The shortened version with 18 items (NCS-18; Cacioppo et al., 1984 ) has widely been administered in research on persuasion, critical thinking, and educational achievement. Whereas most studies advocated for essential uni-dimensionality, the question remains which psychometric model yields the best representation of the NCS-18. In the present study, we compared six competing measurement models for the NCS-18 with meta-analytic structural equation models using summary data of 87 samples ( N = 90,215). Results demonstrated that the negatively worded items introduced considerable measurement bias that was best accounted for with an acquiescence model. In a further analytical step, we showcased how the pooled correlation matrix can be used to compile short versions of the NCS-18 via Ant Colony Optimization. We examined model fit and reliability of short scales with varying item numbers (between 4 and 15) and a balanced ratio of positively and negatively worded items. We discuss the potentials and limits of the newly proposed method.