For testing of mediation the authors (Baron and Kenny, 1986; Hayes and Preacher, 2010)

recommend the following conditions to be satisfied:

1. Independent variable has significant effect on the mediating variable, which is known as path (a);

2. The mediator has a significant effect on the dependent variable, which is known as path (b);

3. Independent variable has significant effect on the dependent variable, which is known as path (c);
and

4. The effect of independent variable on the dependent variable may change after the effect of the
mediator are controlled, which is known as the path (c'). In this step if the relationship of independent
and dependent variable becomes insignificant it considered as full mediation or otherwise it is known
as partial mediation (Baron and Kenny, 1986). If some of the above conditions are not satisfied, then
there is no mediation (Baron and Kenny, 1986).