Distinguishing Mediational Models and Analyses in Clinical Psychology: Atemporal Associations Do Not Imply Causation

Abstract

We propose a delineation of mediational effects derived from cross-sectional designs into the terms temporal and atemporal associations to emphasize time in conceptualizing process models in clinical psychology. The general implications for mediational hypotheses and the temporal frameworks from within which they may be drawn are discussed.

Internet Gaming Disorder: the interplay between physical activity and user–avatar relationship

“…To complement and reinforce the direction of causality of the association between PSP and IGD, the model was repeated using the longitudinal data (Winer et al, 2016).…”

“…The use of the Internet Gaming Disorder 17 longitudinal data only was based on recommendations supporting that causal associations should be best addressed longitudinally (Winer et al, 2016). More specifically, PSP at TP1 was used as the independent variable, PA (active minutes) at TP2 were used as the moderator, and IGD behaviors at TP3 were used as the outcome variable.…”

“…First, to reinforce the inferences of causality assessed in the moderation analysis (Winer et al, 2016) and second because PA measurements were not collected for the online crosssectional data. In the H 2 moderation analysis, the model aimed to estimate the risk effect of PSP (IV) levels on IGD behaviors (DV) and how much, if at all, this effect was buffered by higher levels of PA (Moderator) as measured by FBF active minutes.…”

Internet Gaming Disorder Behaviors in Emergent Adulthood: a Pilot Study Examining the Interplay Between Anxiety and Family Cohesion

“…To assess H 2 , a moderation analysis was conducted via Process software (Hayes 2013) to determine if the interaction between anxiety and balanced family cohesion positively moderated (buffered) IGD symptoms. The longitudinal data were used to explore this relationship following relevant literature recommendations, which suggest longitudinal data is required to support causative associations (Winer et al 2016). In accordance with these suggestions, participants' anxiety scores at T1 were entered as the independent variable, balanced family cohesion at T2 was entered as the moderator, and IGD at T3 was used as the outcome variable.…”

Depression, Internet Gaming Disorder, and the Moderating Effect of the Gamer-Avatar Relationship: an Exploratory Longitudinal Study

“…), and includes impaired control and harmful consequences as a consequence of engaging in the behavior (APA, 2013; King et al, 2013). IGD-related behaviors can result in a wide range of negative psychosocial repercussions including sacrificing work, education, socializing, and hobbies (Griffiths, Davies, & Chappell, 2004; Rehbein, Psych, Kleimann, Mediasci, & Mößle, 2010;Yee, 2006a), increased stress (Batthyány, Müller, Benker, & Wölfling, 2009), lower psychosocial wellbeing and loneliness (Lemmens, Valkenburg, & Peter, 2011), poorer social skills (Griffiths, 2010), decreased academic achievement (Jeong & Kim, 2011; Rehbein et al, 2010), increased inattention (Faiola, Newlon, Pfaff, & Smyslova, 2013), maladaptive coping (Batthyány et al, 2009; Hussain & Griffiths, 2009a, 2009b, and auditory and visual hallucinations (Ortiz de Gortari & Griffiths, 2013, 2014, 2016. Given that IGD presents a significant potential public health risk (APA, 2013), understanding its precursors may provide information that can be used for more effective prevention and intervention policies (Kuss & Griffiths, 2012b).…”