Presenting Interactions

Andy Grogan-Kaylor

2024-11-11

Background

x is an independent variable. y is an outcome. m is a moderator.

A Substantive Example

For the sake of illustration, we might imagine that x is bad parenting, y is mental health problem or aggression, and m is disadvantaged neighborhood or disadvantaged context.

Dichotomous Variables

This example is presented with dichotomous x and m, but the same principles would apply with continuous x and m.

Equation

\[y = \beta_0 + \beta_1 x + \beta_2 m + \beta_3 x \times m + e_i\]

Independent Variable on Horizontal Axis; Dependent Variable on Vertical Axis; Separate Lines For Moderator

Figure 1: Independent Variable on Horizontal Axis; Dependent Variable on Vertical Axis; Separate Lines For Moderator

Moderator Variable on Horizontal Axis; Dependent Variable on Vertical Axis; Separate Lines For Independent Variable

Figure 2: Moderator Variable on Horizontal Axis; Dependent Variable on Vertical Axis; Separate Lines For Independent Variable