Dear All,
I am conducting a moderation analysis using Process Macro Model 1. I would like to test if gender (measured binary) moderates the relationship between body image and self-esteem.
The main effect of body image on self-esteem is not significant:
b = 2.47, se = 2.66, t(297) = .93, p < .353, CI: -2.76, 7.7
The main effect of gender on self-esteem is significant (b = -2.34, se = 1.11, t(297) = -2.12, p < .035, CI: -4.52, -.16), but the interaction term is not (b = .19, se = 1.5, t(297) = .13, p < .898, CI: -2.75, 3.14).
My question is: is it possible, that the main effect of body image is insignificant on self-esteem (see above), but the conditional effect of body image at different values of the moderator (gender) is significant?
For men:
b = 2.66, se = 1.27, t= 2.10, p < .036, CI: .17, 5.15
For women:
b = 2.85, se = .80, t = 3.58, p < .000, CI: 1.29, 4.42
It looks as if the main effect of body image is insignificant on self-esteem when I test the whole sample, however, body image positively predicts self-esteem for men and women separately. This does not make sense to me.
I would really appreciate your help and suggestions.