This project focuses on new quantitative methodologies for studying developmental pathways leading to onset of health-related outcomes over time, such as early-onset of substance involvement among youth. The project centers on the development and refinement of two sophisticated strategies for examining longitudinal mediation hypotheses: statistical mediation with discrete-time survival analytic outcomes, and statistical mediation in two-part onset-to-growth models, both of which are not yet well understood. The work involves intensive simulation studies augmented by application of the methods to an actual longitudinal data set. Making use of a 10-year longitudinal data set following a predominantly African American sample of children from age 5 to age 14 (with 92% retention), this real-data application seeks to understand the practical limitations and to refine the integrated statistical methodologies. The project has two phases. The models developed and evaluated in the first phase involve the integration of mediation with discrete-time survival analysis tested through: (a) a series of statistical simulations to evaluate empirical power, Type 1 error rates, confidence interval coverage, as well as bias and relative bias of point estimates in the model;(b) application to the real data set;and, (c) refinement of the original simulations based on information garnered from the application. The models developed and evaluated in the second phase involve the integration of mediation with two-part onset- to-growth models tested through: (a) a series of simulation studies to evaluate empirical power, Type 1 error rates, confidence interval coverage, as well as bias and relative bias of point estimates;(b) application to the real data set;and, (c) refinement of the original simulations based on information garnered from the application. The project aims to development guidelines for utility and optimum use of the new methods and to gauge the benefit of two-part onset-to-growth mediation models over discrete-time survival mediation models. The new methodologies have the potential to help strengthen future research within the substance-abuse field and in other biomedical fields. For example, these approaches can be applied to studies investigating biological/genetic markers as predictor variables that operate via neural processes (acting as mediators) to impact trajectories of substance-use onset and growth. Similarly, this type of framework can be applied to mediational models in both etiological and prevention research that pertain to school dropout, development of obesity, relationship between substance use and adverse outcomes associated with risky sexual behavior, and many other areas.

Public Health Relevance

Sophisticated quantitative methods are needed to study the unfolding of early involvement with drugs and alcohol in late childhood and early adolescence, which is a serious public health problem. The project refines and tests state-of-the-art methods that will help scientists better understand the pathways and explanations for why and how specific environmental, personal, biological, and genetic factors affect the start and exacerbation of substance use. These same quantitative tools can be applied to other health-related problems that develop over time, such as obesity, cancer risk, sexually transmitted diseases, and problematic brain development.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA030349-02
Application #
8240039
Study Section
Risk, Prevention and Intervention for Addictions Study Section (RPIA)
Program Officer
Lambert, Elizabeth
Project Start
2011-03-15
Project End
2013-02-28
Budget Start
2012-03-01
Budget End
2013-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$326,250
Indirect Cost
$101,250
Name
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041387846
City
Columbia
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29208
Fairchild, Amanda J; McDaniel, Heather L (2017) Best (but oft-forgotten) practices: mediation analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 105:1259-1271
Patel, Chandni C; Fairchild, Amanda J; Prinz, Ronald J (2017) Potential Mediators in Parenting and Family Intervention: Quality of Mediation Analyses. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 20:127-145
Fairchild, Amanda J; Heiney, Sue P; Baruth, Meghan et al. (2017) Mediators of Social Connection in a Group Teleconference Intervention. Res Theory Nurs Pract 31:121-136
Fairchild, Amanda J; Abara, Winston E; Gottschall, Amanda C et al. (2015) Improving Our Ability to Evaluate Underlying Mechanisms of Behavioral Onset and Other Event Occurrence Outcomes: A Discrete-Time Survival Mediation Model. Eval Health Prof 38:315-42
George, Melissa W; Fairchild, Amanda J; Mark Cummings, E et al. (2014) Marital conflict in early childhood and adolescent disordered eating: emotional insecurity about the marital relationship as an explanatory mechanism. Eat Behav 15:532-9
Enders, Craig K; Fairchild, Amanda J; Mackinnon, David P (2013) A Bayesian Approach for Estimating Mediation Effects with Missing Data. Multivariate Behav Res 48:340-369
Peterson, Michelle S; Lawman, Hannah G; Wilson, Dawn K et al. (2013) The association of self-efficacy and parent social support on physical activity in male and female adolescents. Health Psychol 32:666-74
Ranby, Krista W; MacKinnon, David P; Fairchild, Amanda J et al. (2011) The PHLAME (Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: Alternative Models' Effects) firefighter study: testing mediating mechanisms. J Occup Health Psychol 16:501-13
Fairchild, Amanda J; McQuillin, Samuel D (2010) Evaluating mediation and moderation effects in school psychology: a presentation of methods and review of current practice. J Sch Psychol 48:53-84