Compare Imputation and no Imputation to Examine Mediator Effect for Social Support of Mothers of Mentally Ill Children

This study compares imputation methods (single and multiple) to examine the role of perceived stress in the relationship between social support and mood, and tested whether mediator effects influenced the relationship. The cross-sectional data reported here was collected in an experimental design with repeated measures with mothers of children who had been hospitalized in a child psychiatric unit. These methods included no imputation, single imputation, and multiple imputation for missing values. The results did not indicate any mediator effects for coping in the relationship between perceived stress and mood. These results were similar when imputation and no imputations methods were used. However, researchers should consider using imputation results were similar when imputation and no imputations methods were used. However, researchers should consider using imputation methods to help improve problems caused by missing values in the study.