forum.smartpls.com

Dears

Can I simply calculate the mediator effect of C between A and B by this formula and without using bootstrapping?

The direct p coefficient between A and B + (p coefficient between A and C x p coefficient between C and B)

Thanks

No. That would not be correct. There exists a formula to calculate standard errors for mediation using Sobels formulas. However, Sobel is not recommended anymore because it is less accurate and robust in many situations. Thus, bootstrapping the indirect effect is the preferred choice nowadays.