Serial Multiple Mediation Model Research Articles

Mood Disorders in High-Functioning Autism: The Importance of Alexithymia and Emotional Regulation.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have co-morbid anxiety and depression. Alexithymia and emotion regulation difficulties are commonly seen in individuals with ASD and in mood disorders. We hypothesized that alexithymia and emotional regulation would mediate the relationship between autistic features and anxiety/depression symptom severity. We collected data about emotional regulation, alexithymia, autistic symptoms and depression/anxiety in a sample of 64 young adults with ASD. We constructed two serial multiple mediator models, using autistic features as the independent variable and anxiety/depression symptoms as outcome variables. The serial relationship between alexithymia and emotional regulation mediated associations between autistic features and depression and anxiety, separately. The findings suggest that targeting alexithymia may benefit therapies designed to alleviate mood disorders in ASD.

How a user innovation origin affects firms’ subsequent innovation performance: the case of Japan’s fishing tackle industry

ABSTRACTIn user innovation theory, a user-founded firm is based on a product that was originally developed by a user for the user’s private need. In this study, we refer to the start-up characteristic of user-founded firms as the firms’ user innovation origin. We developed hypotheses to shed some initial light on the question of how a user innovation origin affects a firm’s subsequent innovation. Using survey data and expert ratings of 62 small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in the fishing tackle industry, we found several interesting relationships. First, a firm’s user innovation origin strengthens the current owner–manager’s intention to use the class of products produced by the firm and its competitors. This motivation in turn predicts the owner–manager’s product usage behaviour, which directly increases the firm’s frequency of introducing new products. We provide theoretical explanations for this serial multiple mediator model and also discuss their implications and limitations.

Mediating the Mediator: The Indirect Effect of Short-Term Hostility on the Past Reactive Criminal Thinking–Future Reactive Criminal Thinking Relationship

ABSTRACT The current study sought to determine whether short-term hostility mediated reactive criminal thinking (RCT) just as RCT mediates the past crime‒future crime relationship. Using the first four waves of data from the Pathways to Desistance study, a series of three causal mediation analyses were performed on all 1,354 (1,170 males, 184 females) members of the Pathways study. Findings from the first analysis revealed that while short-term hostility mediated the relationship between past and future RCT, it did not mediate the past proactive criminal thinking (PCT)‒future PCT relationship. The outcome of the second analysis revealed that the effect was specific to hostility in that an alternate affective state (depression) had no mediating effect on the past‒future RCT relationship. A third analysis generated support for a mediation-within-mediation effect whereby RCT mediated crime continuity and was, in turn, mediated by short-term hostility in a five-wave serial multiple mediation model.

Can Work Engagement Be a Resource for Reducing Workaholism's Undesirable Outcomes? A Multiple Mediating Model Including Moderated Mediation Analysis.

This study aimed to explore a possible process explaining the relationship between workaholism and sleep disorders, including two mediators: work–family conflict and emotional exhaustion. Moreover, since a possible buffering role of work engagement was recently proposed against the detrimental effects of workaholism, the aim was to examine the moderating role of work engagement in the relationship between workaholism and several outcomes such as work–family conflict, emotional exhaustion, and sleep disorders. Two models were tested using conditional process analysis for testing direct and indirect effects on a sample of 395 employees: (1) a serial multiple mediation model, and (2) the same serial multiple mediation model including the moderating role of work engagement. Results showed a significant mediating effect of both work–family conflict and emotional exhaustion. Moreover, work engagement moderated the relationship between workaholism and work–family conflict and the relationship between workaholism and emotional exhaustion. This work contributes to the understanding of the process underlying the relationship between workaholism and sleep disorders and to the literature reporting the possible protective role of work engagement on the negative outcomes of workaholism. Practical implications are also discussed.

Parental Autonomy Support and Psychological Well-Being in Tibetan and Han Emerging Adults: A Serial Multiple Mediation Model.

A growing body of research has explored well-being in diverse cultural contexts, and indicates that the definition and perception of well-being vary according to cultural context. Little is known, however, about whether intercultural differences in China (i.e., Tibetan and Han) lead to different perceptions of well-being and how social contexts and personal characteristics are associated with well-being in Tibetan and Han emerging adults. Using a self-determination framework, the current study examines the relationship between parental autonomy support (PAS) and psychological well-being (PWB) in Tibetan and Han emerging adults in China. Guided by implicit theory and self-regulatory theory, we propose a serial multiple mediation model of growth mindset and grit in the association between PAS and PWB. Propensity score matching was used to balance the two ethnic groups in terms of age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), with a ratio of one to two. Finally, 59 Tibetan (71.2% girls) and 118 Han (69.5% girls) emerging adults aged from 18 to 25 years were included in the current study, and completed an online questionnaire survey. Findings suggest that (a) Tibetan emerging adults perceived higher levels of PWB than their peers from the Han ethnic group; (b) a serial multiple mediation model for the association between PAS and PWB was supported in Han emerging adults; (c) the indirect effects between PAS and PWB varied between Tibetan and Han emerging adults. Our findings suggest that PAS and grit contribute to PWB of emerging adults in both cultural contexts, whereas growth mindset may be beneficial for Han emerging adults only.

Unraveling the impact of family antecedents on family firm image: A serial multiple-mediation model

While revealing a family firm’s identity can enhance the firm’s appeal to customers and employees and positively affect firm performance, many family firms decide not to portray a family firm image. Until now, we have not had a clear understanding of the factors that determine whether family businesses intentionally project their family firm identity to their external stakeholders. As this decision may affect a family firm’s competitive positioning and its prospects for continuity, it is important to understand the family logic within this decision-making process. Building on stakeholder theory arguments, we examine how family-related factors (e.g., family involvement, transgenerational succession intention and family-centered noneconomic goals) influence the extent to which a dominant family coalition leverages its family image on the company’s website. Our results, which originate from survey research and content analysis of the websites of 340 Dutch family firms, reveal the mechanisms that regulate this process. In particular, we show that transgenerational succession intention and family-centered noneconomic goals serially and double mediate the family involvement–family firm image relationship.

Subclinical eating disorder symptoms and positive vs. negative affect in high school students: the mediating role of self-regulation

BackgroundSubclinical symptoms of eating disorders (ED) appear early, and adolescents still represent a specific risk group. Are there strat-egies of self-regulation which can protect adolescents against severe symptoms? We investigated differential mediators between subclinical eating disorder symptoms and negative vs. positive affect in adolescents.Participants and procedureData were collected twice. Adolescents (ages 17-18, N = 98) filled in the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2), the Volitional Competences Questionnaire (VCQ), the Personality Style and Disorders Inventory (PSDI) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedules (PANAS). We postulated two different serial multiple mediation models originating in eating disorders, one leading to negative affect (through depressive personality style and self-motivation) and the other leading to positive affect (through self-regulation competences: self-relaxation and self-motivation).ResultsThe serial multiple mediation models were confirmed, with the postulated variables serving as mediators of positive and negative affect. In addition to body dissatisfaction, there were two additional predictors for positive affect (ineffectiveness and social insecurity) and five predictors for negative affect (drive for thinness, bulimia, perfectionism, interoceptive awareness, asceti-cism).ConclusionsThese experiences of eating disorders are associated with affect, through self-regulation of emotion (self-motivation), which along with depression or self-relaxation leads to either a decrease in the negative affect or an increase in the positive affect. Self-regulation is an important factor in preventing eating disorders and protecting the overall emotional well-being in high school students.

Emotion Dysregulation Mediating Associations Among Work Stress, Burnout, and Problem Gambling: A Serial Multiple Mediation Model.

This study aimed to examine psychological mechanisms underlying work stress and burnout that may increase the risk of problem gambling. A serial multiple mediation model is proposed to specify that work stress (high job demand-low job control) can deplete employee resources and lead to burnout. Employees who have emotion dysregulation may engage in gambling to escape or avoid burnout and negative emotions at work. Over time, these employees may become increasingly rely on gambling to cope with their burnout experience, leading to problem gambling. A total of 1233 full-time employees in the United States completed a web survey on work stress. Results supported the proposed serial multiple mediation model. The indirect effect of work stress on problem gambling first through burnout then through emotion dysregulation was significant. The direct effect of work stress on problem gambling was reduced to nonsignificance after controlling for the two mediators (burnout and emotion dysregulation). When the two mediators were considered together in the specified sequence, the indirect effects of work stress on problem gambling through individual mediators were also reduced to nonsignificance. Gender was a nonsignificant moderator, and pathways of the proposed serial multiple mediation model were similar for men and women. Supplementary analyses did not support an alternate sequence of mediators. The present findings suggest that prevention and treatment programs for work stress, burnout, and problem gambling should include the assessment and enhancement of emotion regulation skills.

Depression as a Mediator of Chronic Fatigue and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Survivors.

ObjectiveThe relationship among chronic fatigue, depressive symptoms, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) among Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) survivors is poorly understood. MethodsOf 148 survivors who consented to be registered and underwent assessments at 12 months (T1) and 18 months (T2) after the MERS outbreak, 72 (48.65%) were evaluated for chronic fatigue, depressive symptoms, and PTSSs based on the Impact of Event ScaleRevised (IES-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Data from 52 subjects, who completed both assessments, were analyzed using a regression-based serial multiple mediation model (PROCESS Model 6). ResultsBootstrap analyses indicated no direct effects of T1 FSS on T2 IES-R but significant positive indirect effects of T1 FSS on T2 IESR through T1 PHQ-9 and T2 PHQ-9 (B=2.1601, SE=1.3268, 95% confidence interval=0.4250–6.1307). In other words, both T1 PHQ-9 and T2 PHQ-9 fully mediated the relationship between T1 FSS and T2 IES. ConclusionChronic fatigue 12 months after MERS had indirect effects on prolonged PTSSs 18 months after MERS via persisting depression in MERS survivors. This finding supports the need to promote interventional programs for emerging infectious disease survivors with chronic fatigue to reduce depression and prevent prolonged PTSSs.

Socio-Technological Factors Affecting User’s Adoption of eHealth Functionalities: A Case Study of China and Ukraine eHealth Systems

Recent studies have shown the rapid adoption of digital health software applications worldwide. However, researchers are yet to fully understand users' rationale of eHealth systems. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to analyze user attitudes to eHealth applications in China and eHealth system in Ukraine, and then provide insights and suggestions to the development of an eHealth application (eZdorovya) for health information services in general. This study includes a survey conducted by Chinese and Ukrainian users, after which thorough data analyses were conducted. Based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), this research framework explores the influence of socio-technical factors affecting user's adoption of eHealth functionalities. Serial Multiple Mediator Model 6 (SMMM6) and a deep neural network-based approach were used to analyze the eHealth software users' rationale with the sample size of survey 236 end-users from China and 124 end-users from Ukraine. The key findings from the data analysis are: 1) if the software application is covering an important service function and is interesting to use, Chinese users will continue using it, 2) given an eHealth software with important or interesting function, it is inconclusive whether Ukrainian users will switch to use the application, and 3) deep neural network shows highly accurate prediction results and was given applied suggestions for Chinese and Ukrainian providers in the case of improving eHealth systems based on a raw prediction.

Linking the internal mechanism of exhibition attachment to exhibition satisfaction: A comparison of first-time and repeat attendees

This study examines underlying dimensions of place attachment in an exhibition setting and their impacts on attendees' satisfaction. Taking the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair as a case, this study proposes and tests a serial multiple mediator model in two groups: first-time attendees and repeat attendees. A function-emotion-identity sequence was affirmed for exhibition attachment. Both the direct and mediation effects, as well as the multi-group comparison, were examined. While most of the hypotheses were confirmed, affective attachment played a negative role in predicting exhibition satisfaction, and visiting frequency showed a significant difference in the effect of exhibition dependence on satisfaction. This study provides specific theoretical and managerial implications on attendees' exhibition attachment and exhibition satisfaction.

The effects of emotional lability, mind wandering and sleep quality on ADHD symptom severity in adults with ADHD

Mind wandering, emotional lability and sleep quality are currently mostly independently investigated but are all interlinked and play a major role is adult attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Emotional lability is a core feature of the disorder, excessive mind wandering has recently been linked to symptoms and impairments of ADHD and poor sleep quality is experienced by a clear majority of adults with ADHD. All three phenomena lead to functional impairment in ADHD, however their relationship to each other and to ADHD symptom severity is not well understood. Here we used serial multiple mediation models to examine the influence of mind wandering, sleep quality and emotional lability on ADHD symptom severity. 81 adults diagnosed with ADHD participated in this study. We found that mind wandering and emotional lability predicted ADHD symptom severity and that mind wandering, emotional lability and sleep quality were all linked and significantly contributed to the symptomatology of adult ADHD. Mind wandering was found to lead to emotional lability which in turn lead to ADHD symptom severity; and poor sleep quality was found to exacerbate mind wandering leading to ADHD symptoms. Future research should employ objective on-task measures of mind wandering, sleepiness and emotional lability to investigate the neural basis of these impairing deficits in ADHD.

From Organizational Justice Perceptions to Turnover Intentions: The Mediating Effects of Burnout and Job Satisfaction.

Turnover intentions (TI) stand as an insidious problem that impacts on the functioning of organizations and the well-being of their members. Currently, there is a growing interest in identifying the explanatory mechanisms of TI, in order to strengthen and retain valued employees for organizations. In line with this trend, the aim of the present study was to test an integrative serial multiple mediation model that examined the possible mediating role of burnout and job satisfaction in the relationships between organizational justice and TI. To achieve this objective, a cross-sectional empirical study was carried out on a multi-occupational sample of 408 Argentine employees (219 women and 189 men). Participants completed a self-report questionnaire comprising previously validated measures for the target population. Structural equation modeling showed that perceptions of distributive, procedural, and interpersonal justice have negative indirect effects on TI through burnout and job satisfaction, while perceptions of informational justice exert such effects on TI only through job satisfaction. These results indicate that distributive, procedural, and interpersonal justice perceptions relate to lower levels of burnout, which in turn promote greater job satisfaction and lower TI among employees. In addition, informational justice perceptions are positively related to job satisfaction, leading to a decrease in employees’ TI. Findings are discussed in light of their theoretical and practical implications. Managers and human resource professionals could consider the research results in their attempts to design and implement talent retention strategies within organizations.

Serial Progression from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder to Alcohol Use Disorder: Serial Multiple Mediated Effects of Externalizing Disorders and Depression.

ObjectiveExternalizing disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder, as well as depression are common comorbidities in alcohol use disorder (AUD). The current study focused on the temporal relationship between the onsets of these disorders and AUD, and investigated the serial multiple mediator model of externalizing disorders (e.g., ADHD) and depression on AUD.MethodsWe analyzed the mediated effects of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale motor (BIS_M) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) on Korean version of the Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS_K) using the multiple-step multiple mediation procedure regression analysis. In addition, we comparatively analyzed different clinical characteristics in relation to conduct problems.ResultsThe multiple-step multiple mediation procedure found the serial multiple mediated effects of the BIS_M and the BDI on the relationship between the ASRS and the ADS_K. Also, the group with conduct problem was significantly high in ADHD symptoms, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, legal problems and alcohol-related problems, compared to the group without conduct problems.ConclusionTo sum up, the results of this study show that ADHD symptoms in childhood could exert significant effects on the severity of AUD in adulthood, and both disorders might be mediated by the externalizing disorders characterized by the core feature of motor impulsivity, and depression serially. Thus, the treatment of preceding disorders in accordance with developmental stages is an overarching clinical component for preventing the subsequent development of AUD and for its treatment.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and suicidality: The mediating effects of psychiatric comorbidities and family function

ObjectiveTo explore the association between Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”) and suicidality in children. Mediating effects of family function and psychiatric co-morbidities were also explored. MethodsThis is a national representative cross-sectional survey of school-based sample of 4739 children aged 7–15. Logistic regression was used to assess the excess risks of suicidality (i.e., suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempts) in 412 children with ADHD. Serial multiple mediator models were conducted to assess the mediating effects of family function and psychiatric comorbidities. ResultsThe prevalence of suicidality in children with ADHD was approximately 20% in Taiwan. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of suicidality among children with ADHD was approximately four times higher than among non-ADHD children [(adjusted Odds Ratio [“OR”] = 3.82, 95% Confidence Interval (“CI”) (2.73, 5.34)] for suicidal ideation, adjusted OR = 4.18, 95% CI (2.57, 6.80) for suicide plan and adjusted OR = 4.45, 95% CI (1.99, 9.93) for suicide attempts. The mediating effects of anxiety/depression and conduct problems were about 20% and 8%, respectively, across all suicide outcomes. The mediating effects of family function were around 6–7% for suicidal ideation and 16–18% for suicide plan and suicide attempts. The effects of ADHD on suicidality, in general, remained after considering the mediating roles of family function and psychiatric comorbid conditions. ConclusionsChildren with ADHD are at a high risk of suicide. Although the family function and psychiatric co-morbidities partially mediate this association, ADHD in itself is a potent suicide risk factor and should be an important target for suicide prevention.

Justice for All: Trauma and the Need for Safety and Fairness Within Juvenile Justice Facilities

Many adolescents in the juvenile justice system have been exposed to trauma, which has been linked with negative outcomes that may lead to ineffective adjustment while incarcerated. Trauma may decrease a youth’s feelings of fairness and safety, which may increase misconduct. The present study examined the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, perceptions of fairness and safety, and rates of institutional misconduct in a subsample of youth ( n = 386) who participated in the Pathways to Desistance study. A serial multiple mediation model found that PTSD symptoms were not significantly associated with perceptions of fairness, safety, or institutional misconduct. Relationships were found between perceptions of fairness and safety, and between perceptions of safety and institutional misconduct. Results also indicated differences in perceptions of fairness and safety based on gender, age, and ethnicity. Perceptions of fairness and safety may be an avenue for intervention to improve adjustment within the juvenile justice system.

Diabetes management mediating effects between diabetes symptoms and health-related quality of life in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes.

The primary objective was to investigate the mediating effects of diabetes management in the relationship between diabetes symptoms and generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with type 1 diabetes. The secondary objective explored patient health communication and perceived treatment adherence barriers as mediators in a serial multiple mediator model. The PedsQL 3.2 Diabetes Module 15-item diabetes symptoms summary score, 18-item diabetes management summary score, and PedsQL 4.0 generic core scales were completed in a 10-site national field test study by 418 AYA aged 13 to 25 years with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes symptoms and diabetes management were tested for bivariate and multivariate linear associations with overall generic HRQOL. Mediational analyses were conducted to test the hypothesized mediating effects of diabetes management as an intervening variable between diabetes symptoms and generic HRQOL. The predictive effects of diabetes symptoms on HRQOL were mediated in part by diabetes management. In predictive analytics models utilizing multiple regression analyses, demographic and clinical covariates, diabetes symptoms, and diabetes management significantly accounted for 53% of the variance in generic HRQOL (P < 0.001), demonstrating a large effect size. Patient health communication and perceived treatment adherence barriers were significant mediators in an exploratory serial multiple mediator model. Diabetes management explains in part the effects of diabetes symptoms on HRQOL in AYA with type 1 diabetes. Patient health communication to healthcare providers and perceived treatment adherence barriers further explain the mechanism in the relationship between diabetes symptoms and overall HRQOL.

Storied Lives on Instagram: Factors Associated With the Need for Personal-Visual Identity

This research explores how sharing photos on social networking sites contributes to an individual's identity expression. A mixed-methods survey was conducted with Instagram users to understand how they frame, annotate, and share their lives with others through digital photography. Results from a serial multiple mediator model reveal that the frequency with which individuals post on Instagram predicts their need for personal-visual identity and this relationship is mediated by self-objectification and self-confidence. Previous research supports the positive association between frequent posting of photographs on social networking sites and visual identity expression. The current study provides evidence for mechanisms that enable this relationship. Implications for impression management theory and visual communication research are discussed.

Serial multiple mediator model analysis with respect to Korea national league soccer players’ self-leadership

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to draw practical implications applicable to the field through analysing serial multiple mediator model of self-leadership, psychology empowerment, job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior. [Methods] In order to achieve the purpose of this study, we surveyed Korea national league players(187 usable sample). Four hypotheses were tested using frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis and PROCESS macro through SPSS statistics. [Results] The results are as follows. First, self-leadership has a significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior. Second, mediating effects of psychological empowerment between self-leadership and organizational citizenship behavior were significant. Third, mediating effects of job satisfaction between self-leadership and organizational citizenship behavior were significant. Fourth, serial multiple mediator effects leading to self-leadership→psychological empowerment→job satisfaction→organizational citizenship behavior were significant. [Conclusions] Korea national league players must perform self-leader, goal setting, self-observation, self criticism, constructive thinking strategies, dedication and voluntary attitude for clubs and colleagues. The team’s coaches should strive to praise the athletes for their pride, provide appropriate feedback, prevent job burnout, and the management of front office should make practical efforts such as improving the welfare environment and presenting the future vision of club.

Effects of Service Experience on Behavioral intentions: Serial Multiple Mediation Model

This study investigates the relationships among service experience, emotions, perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intentions in a wellness spa service context. This paper focuses on the mediating effects of emotions, perceived value, and satisfaction on the relationship between service experience and behavioral intentions; no previous study has examined the complete mediating relationship among these variables. Data were collected through a survey of 500 Thai day spagoers in five major cities in Thailand. The results show that emotions, perceived value, and satisfaction sequentially mediate the relationship between service experience and behavioral intentions; however, the direct effects are nonsignificant, indicating full mediation. Significant relationships were found among service experience, emotions, perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intentions, providing a more holistic view of Thai spagoers’ decision-making process. This paper presents the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.