Causal mediation analysis in Stata

Causal mediation analysis determines the mechanism through which a treatment influences an outcome through a mediator. The objective of this presentation is to provide a practical guide, facilitating an understanding and implementation of causal mediation analysis using Stata 18's new mediate command. We will begin by introducing the fundamental steps of causal analysis and then apply these steps to causal mediation analysis. Additionally, we will highlight the differences between causal and traditional mediation analysis. The presentation will also delve into various types of direct and indirect effects, illustrating their practical applications. Examples demonstrating how to perform causal mediation estimation within Stata, using different types of outcomes and mediators (continuous, binary, and count), will be provided. No prior knowledge of Stata is required, although a basic understanding of causal inference will be beneficial.