In this article, we attempt to distinguish between the properties of moderator and mediator variables at a number of levels. First, we seek to make theorists and researchers aware of the importance of not using the terms moderator and mediator interchangeably by carefully elaborating, both conceptually and strategically, the many ways in which moderators and mediators differ. We then go beyond this largely pedagogical function and delineate the conceptual and strategic implications of making use of such distinctions with regard to a wide range of phenomena, including control and stress, attitudes, and personality traits. We also provide a specific compendium of analytic procedures appropriate for making the most effective use of the moderator and mediator distinction, both separately and in terms of a broader causal system that includes both moderators and mediators.

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The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations.

Mindfulness is an attribute of consciousness long believed to promote well-being. This research provides a theoretical and empirical examination of the role of mindfulness in psychological well-being. The development and psychometric properties of the dispositional Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) are described. Correlational, quasi-experimental, and laboratory studies then show that the MAAS measures a unique quality of consciousness that is related to a variety of well-being constructs, that differentiates mindfulness practitioners from others, and that is associated with enhanced selfawareness. An experience-sampling study shows that both dispositional and state mindfulness predict self-regulated behavior and positive emotional states. Finally, a clinical intervention study with cancer patients demonstrates that increases in mindfulness over time relate to declines in mood disturbance and stress. Many philosophical, spiritual, and psychological traditions emphasize the importance of the quality of consciousness for the maintenance and enhancement of well-being (Wilber, 2000). Despite this, it is easy to overlook the importance of consciousness in human well-being because almost everyone exercises its primary capacities, that is, attention and awareness. Indeed, the relation between qualities of consciousness and well-being has received little empirical attention. One attribute of consciousness that has been much-discussed in relation to well-being is mindfulness. The concept of mindfulness has roots in Buddhist and other contemplative traditions where conscious attention and awareness are actively cultivated. It is most commonly defined as the state of being attentive to and aware of what is taking place in the present. For example, Nyanaponika Thera (1972) called mindfulness “the clear and single-minded awareness of what actually happens to us and in us at the successive moments of perception” (p. 5). Hanh (1976) similarly defined mindfulness as “keeping one’s consciousness alive to the present reality” (p. 11). Recent research has shown that the enhancement of mindfulness through training facilitates a variety of well-being outcomes (e.g., Kabat-Zinn, 1990). To date, however, there has been little work examining this attribute as a naturally occurring characteristic. Recognizing that most everyone has the capacity to attend and to be aware, we nonetheless assume (a) that individuals differ in their propensity or willingness to be aware and to sustain attention to what is occurring in the present and (b) that this mindful capacity varies within persons, because it can be sharpened or dulled by a variety of factors. The intent of the present research is to reliably identify these inter- and intrapersonal variations in mindfulness, establish their relations to other relevant psychological constructs, and demonstrate their importance to a variety of forms of psychological well-being.

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The Benefits of Being Present: Mindfulness and Its Role in Psychological Well-Being

This paper describes methods for testing mediation and moderation effects in a dataset, both together and separately. Investigations of this kind are especially valuable in prevention research to obtain information on the process by which a program achieves its effects and whether the program is effective for subgroups of individuals. A general model that simultaneously estimates mediation and moderation effects is presented, and the utility of combining the effects into a single model is described. Possible effects of interest in the model are explained, as are statistical methods to assess these effects. The methods are further illustrated in a hypothetical prevention program example.

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A General Model for Testing Mediation and Moderation Effects

https://escholarship.org/content/qt1md4n1xs/qt1md4n1xs.pdf?t=nyqf8d

A comparison of kinship foster homes and foster family homes: Implications for kinship foster care as family preservation

As pressure increases for the demonstration of effective treatment for children with mental disorders, it is essential that the field has an understanding of the evidence base. To address this aim, the authors searched the published literature for effective interventions for children and adolescents and organized this review as follows: (1) prevention; (2) traditional forms of treatment, namely outpatient therapy, partial hospitalization, inpatient treatment, and psychopharmacology; (3) intensive comprehensive community-based interventions including case management, home-based treatment, therapeutic foster care, and therapeutic group homes; (4) crisis and support services; and (5) treatment for two prevalent disorders, major depressive disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Strong evidence was found for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, and disruptive behavior disorders. Guidance from the field relevant to moving the evidence-based interventions into real-world clinical practice and further strengthening the research base will also need to address change in policy and clinical training.

Effective treatment for mental disorders in children and adolescents.

Foster children in a life course perspective

In a study of the modes of exit and condition at exit of 585 children who left the care of The Casey Family Program, a program devoted to the care of children who were judged not able to be reunited with their families, the research reveals a number of significant relationships between certain conditions, circumstances, and characteristics of the children previous to admission and their condition upon departure from agency care. Language: en

Modes of exit from foster family care and adjustment at time of departure of children with unstable life histories.

Foster children in life-course perspective: The Casey Family Program experience.

David Fanshel, DSW, is Professor, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York. It had been intended that the late Paul Schreiber would write this article. His interest in the status problems of women in the profession of social work exemplified a humanistic life orientation for which he was well known. He de tested discrimination in a profound way, having experienced it firsthand in Hitlerite Europe, and he was always prepared to use his substantial analytic skills in behalf of freeing human creativity. He volunteered to work on this article because of his desire to join his efforts with those of others concerned with insuring that the social work profession offered full opportunity for professional development without regard to sex. Paul Schreiber also had a strong conviction that discussions and disputes about policies and practices in the profession could be raised to higher levels with the infusion of data. He was aware that discourse on deeply felt issues often did not advance understanding because of the absence of rudimentary information about the phenomena being addressed. From this perspective, he thought it useful to present data from the files of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) on the status of women in the profession. He wished to examine differences between male and female association members with respect to the kinds of jobs held and the salaries being received. He therefore enlisted the assistance of the NASW national office staff, and some cross-tabulations were ordered from the service organization that handles the association's com puterized data files. Paul Schreiber died before having an opportunity to examine the first com puter runs for this project. The author agreed to pick up the task of writing this article out of a sense of identification with Paul's conviction that an issue of social work devoted to the status of women in the profession ought to include basic statistical information in a form that could enlighten discussion. The as signment was accepted despite some initial personal reluctance related to the short time available to examine the data, perform a variety of computer runs, and give the material the careful consideration the topic warrants. The data requested were supplied from late August through mid-September 1976. The writer did not have an opportunity to discuss the project with Paul to de termine the assumptions that underlay his approach to the article. However, on the basis of discussion with Beatrice Saunders, editor of social work, and by making some commonsense assumptions, it seems clear that one of Paul's basic motives was to inform the profession about the extent to which sexism constrains the opportunities available to women in social work. Knowing Paul's thinking, as I believe I do, it seems probable he thought that the introduction of some ob jective data into an emotionally charged area could only be salutary. The infor mation in the NASW data file could presumably shed light on two questions: (1) Are female social workers underrepresented in leadership jobs relative to males? and (2) Are females paid less than males in the profession? It may well be the reaction of many readers, particularly women, that: it is not necessary to present formal data about discrimination against women. Sex ism is obviously a pervasive phenomenon in our society, and social work is not immune to such influence despite the historical presence of women in the profession and the highly important leadership contributions they have made over the years. It is well known that more often than not, men are the administrators of social agencies. Why go through the exercise of examining data? Paul would most likely have responded: "But let us get a clear picture of the true nature of things. How big are the sex-linked differences?" Accurate information can provide a picture of the basic dimension of the problem and establish a baseline from which to chart future progress. —D. F.

David Fanshel

Papers

Foster children in a life course perspective

Modes of exit from foster family care and adjustment at time of departure of children with unstable life histories.

Foster children in life-course perspective: The Casey Family Program experience.

Status Differentials: Men and Women in Social Work.

Status Changes of Children in Foster Care: Final Results of the Columbia University Longitudinal Study.