I am struggling with the results of my mediation analyses (SPSS, PROCESS). There is no significant direct and total effect, but indirect effect is significant. What does that mean? How do I interpret the results? How should I conclude the results?
My hypothesis: Social participation has a positive effect on mental health and is mediated by having a social support network.
My analysis: Social participation (X) --> Having a social support network (M) --> Mental health (Y).
Total effect: not significant (β = -.004, t = .0175, p = .9860)
Direct effect: not significant (β = -.0226, t = .10466, p = .2954)
Indirect effect: significant (β = .0222, 95% CI [.0078, .0367]).
(X) Social participation -->(M)Having a social support network: .0374*
(M) Having a social support network --> (Y) Mental Health: .4505**
(X) Social participation --> (Y) Mental health: -.0385
- Social Participation is operationalized through the measurement of an individual's engagement in voluntary work or participation in activities within an organization. To this end, a list of 10 organizations including sports clubs, cultural associations etc.
- Having a Social support network is a 1-3 scale.
- Mental health 1-6 scale
Thank you for your time!