Abstract
Researchers often hypothesize that a causal variable, whether randomly assigned or not, has an effect on an outcome behavior
and that this effect may vary across levels of initial risk of engaging in the outcome behavior. In this paper, we propose
a method for quantifying initial risk status. We then illustrate the use of this risk-status variable as a moderator of the
causal effect of leisure boredom, a non-randomized continuous variable, on cigarette smoking initiation. The data come from
the HealthWise South Africa study. We define the causal effects using marginal structural models and estimate the causal effects
using inverse propensity weights. Indeed, we found leisure boredom had a differential causal effect on smoking initiation
across different risk statuses. The proposed method may be useful for prevention scientists evaluating causal effects that
may vary across levels of initial risk.
and that this effect may vary across levels of initial risk of engaging in the outcome behavior. In this paper, we propose
a method for quantifying initial risk status. We then illustrate the use of this risk-status variable as a moderator of the
causal effect of leisure boredom, a non-randomized continuous variable, on cigarette smoking initiation. The data come from
the HealthWise South Africa study. We define the causal effects using marginal structural models and estimate the causal effects
using inverse propensity weights. Indeed, we found leisure boredom had a differential causal effect on smoking initiation
across different risk statuses. The proposed method may be useful for prevention scientists evaluating causal effects that
may vary across levels of initial risk.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s11121-011-0271-0
- Authors
- Donna L. Coffman, The Methodology Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 204 E. Calder Way, Ste. 400, State College, PA 16801, USA
- Linda L. Caldwell, Dept. of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, 704L Donald H. Ford Bldg., University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Edward A. Smith, Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 105-G Henderson South Bldg., University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Journal Prevention Science
- Online ISSN 1573-6695
- Print ISSN 1389-4986