The three character strengths were set as the predictors, and psychological stress and symptoms as dependent variables in each regression equation. (scirp.org)
We should take a pledge — No more selection on dependent variable analyses! (educationnext.org)
Rather, independent variables must be associated with mediators, and mediators must be associated with dependent variables, in order for test of indirect effects to be logically valid. (ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com)