Experimental tests of assumed mediation models have been recommended by numerous methodologists. However, they may prove problematic for a number of reasons. Thus, this article considers (a) experimental designs that can be used in tests of mediation, (b) problems that may arise in manipulating mediator variables, (c) distributional issues in experimental tests of mediation, (d) statistical approaches for testing mediation models, including strategies for testing for direct versus indirect effects in experimental tests of mediation models, and (e) a set of conclusions stemming from our analysis.
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