Dr. Cheong is a clinical psychologist who is curious about how people deal with natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes). His previous research suggests that there is a relationship between how much people feel their emotional well-being was affected by the natural disaster and their likelihood of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, he is curious as to whether the effect of emotional well-being occurs because people receive different levels of social support. He conducts a study in which he asks 174 men and women affected by Hurricane Sandy (2012) to report on how their well-being was affected by the hurricane, the social support felt after the storm, and the number of PTSD symptoms. Dr. Cheong finds support for his proposed relationship. However, in examining his data more closely, he finds that the relationship between emotional well-being and PTSD symptoms is stronger for men than for women.
Which of the following is the mediating variable in Dr. Cheong's hypothesis?
- Emotional well-being
- PTSD symptoms
- Social support
- Participant sex

A mediating variable is characterized as the variable that acts as a link or association between the dependent, as well as, independent variables. They are also known as intervening variables.

In the given research, 'Social support' would be demonstrated as the 'mediating variable' because it relates the two distinct variables i.e. 'emotional well-being' and the 'effect of natural disaster or developing PTSD symptoms.' The amount of social support every individual receives not only affects the strength and management of the two variables but also affects the conclusion of the research. Thus, option C is the correct answer.