A multivariate Gaussian random field prior against spatial confounding

Abstract: Spatial models are used in a variety research areas, such as environmental sciences, epidemiology, or physics. A common phenomenon in many spatial regression models is spatial confounding. This phenomenon takes place when spatially indexed covariates modeling the mean of the response are correlated with the spatial random effect. As a result, estimates for regression coefficients of the covariates can be severely biased and interpretation of these is no longer valid. Recent literature has shown that typical solutions for reducing spatial confounding can lead to misleading and counterintuitive results. In this paper, we develop a computationally efficient spatial model in a Bayesian framework integrating novel prior structure that reduces spatial confounding. Starting from the univariate case, we extend our prior structure to case of multiple spatially confounded covariates. In a simulation study, we show that our novel model flexibly detects and reduces spatial confounding in spatial datasets, and it performs better than typically used methods such as restricted spatial regression. These results are promising for any applied researcher who wishes to interpret covariate effects in spatial regression models. As a real data illustration, we study the effect of elevation and temperature on the mean of daily precipitation in Germany.