Imagine it was found that worry explains the relationship between depression and sleep problems (i.e., depressed people tend to worry more than non-depressed people, leading them to experience more sleep problems). Which of the following is the indirect effect?
A)The effect of sleep problems on depression through worry
B)The relationship between worry and sleep problems, controlling for depression
C)The effect of depression on sleep problems through worry
D)The relationship between depression and sleep problems, controlling for worry

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The indirect effect is the effect of depression on sleep problems through worry. This means that the relationship between depression and sleep problems is explained by the fact that depressed people tend to worry more, which in turn leads to more sleep problems. Option A is the direct effect of sleep problems on depression through worry, which is not what we are interested in. Option B is the relationship between worry and sleep problems, controlling for depression, which is not relevant to our question. Option D is the relationship between depression and sleep problems, controlling for worry, which is not the indirect effect we are looking for.

Imagine It Was Found That Worry Explains the Relationship Between