Mediation analysis with time varying exposures and mediators.

ABSTRACT: In this paper we consider causal mediation analysis when exposures and mediators vary over time. We give non-parametric identification results, discuss parametric implementation, and also provide a weighting approach to direct and indirect effects based on combining the results of two marginal structural models. We also discuss how our results give rise to a causal interpretation of the effect estimates produced from longitudinal structural equation models. When there are time-varying confounders affected by prior exposure and mediator, natural direct and indirect effects are not identified. However, we define a randomized interventional analogue of natural direct and indirect effects that are identified in this setting. The formula that identifies these effects we refer to as the "mediati

SUBMITTER: VanderWeele TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5560424 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature