In this article, we consider an often overlooked model that combines mediation and moderation to explain how a third variable can relate to a risk factor–psychopathology relationship. We refer to it as moderation and mediation in a three-variable system. We describe how this model is relevant to studying vulnerability factors and how it may advance developmental psychopathology research. To illustrate the value of this approach, we provide several examples where this model may be applicable, such as the relationships among parental externalizing pathology, harsh parenting, and offspring psychopathology as well as between neuroticism, stressful life events, and depression. We discuss possible reasons why this model has not gained traction and attempt to clarify and dispel those concerns. We provide guidance and recommendations for when to consider this model for a given data set and point toward existing resources for testing this model that have been developed by statisticians and other methodologists. Lastly, we describe important caveats, limitations, and considerations for making this approach most useful for developmental research. Overall, our goal in presenting this information to developmental psychopathology researchers is to encourage testing moderation and mediation in a three-variable system with the aim of advancing analytic strategies for studying vulnerability factors.

在本文中，我们考虑了一个经常被忽视的模型，该模型结合了调解和调节来解释第三个变量如何与风险因素-精神病理学关系相关联。我们将其称为三变量系统中的调节和调解。我们描述了该模型如何与研究脆弱性因素相关，以及它如何推进发展精神病理学研究。为了说明这种方法的价值，我们提供了几个可能适用于这种模型的例子，例如父母外化病态、严厉教养和后代精神病理学之间的关系，以及神经质、压力性生活事件和抑郁症之间的关系。我们讨论了该模型未获得关注的可能原因，并试图澄清和消除这些担忧。我们就何时针对给定数据集考虑此模型提供指导和建议，并指出由统计学家和其他方法学家开发的用于测试此模型的现有资源。最后，我们描述了使这种方法对发展研究最有用的重要注意事项、限制和注意事项。总体而言，我们向发展精神病理学研究人员提供此信息的目的是鼓励在三变量系统中测试节制和调解，目的是推进研究脆弱性因素的分析策略。以及使这种方法对发展研究最有用的考虑因素。总体而言，我们向发展精神病理学研究人员提供此信息的目的是鼓励在三变量系统中测试节制和调解，目的是推进研究脆弱性因素的分析策略。以及使这种方法对发展研究最有用的考虑因素。总体而言，我们向发展精神病理学研究人员提供此信息的目的是鼓励在三变量系统中测试节制和调解，目的是推进研究脆弱性因素的分析策略。