**INTRUCTIONS**
Each folder contains: (1) the database adopted for the specific analysis; (2) MPlus codes adopted to perform the analyses; (3) outputs of the analyses; (4) a table for nested model comparisons.
**1- Database**
A file with the .SAV extension is a SPSS data file. The .SAV was created running the .SPS syntax included in the folder. A file with the .DAT extension contains the database that should be used to run the analysis in MPlus. When the analyses are performed in MPlus the folder contains both the .SAV extension database and the .DAT extension database.
**2- Syntax**
A file with the .SPS extension is a SPSS syntax file. A file with the .INP extension is a MPLUS syntax file. It is like a TXT file that can be opened in notepad.
**3- Output**
A file with the .OUT extension is a MPLUS output file, which contains results of the analyses performed with the namesake .INP file. It is like a TXT file that can be opened in notepad. All the analyses were performed using either IBM SPSS 24 or MPlus 6.0
**4- Results**
A file with .xlsx extension is an Execel file, which contains the fit indexes for the nested models (χ2, CFI, RMSEA, 95% RMSEA CI, SRMR) and the results of their comparisons.
**ANALYTICAL PROCEDURE**
Hypotheses concerning the direction of the longitudinal relationship between calling and social support were tested using the panel model approach for longitudinal data. We compared four alternative nested causal models:
- **Model 1** - Autoregressive, which estimates the stability of the
construct over time (effect of a construct on itself measured at a
subsequent time point) and the within-wave effect (correlations
between constructs assessed at the same time point).
- **Model 2** –
Calling as outcome: it adds to Model 1 the cross-lagged structural
paths from Time 1 and Time 2 social support to Time 2 and Time 3 calling
dimensions.
- **Model 3** – Calling as predictor: it is equivalent to model
2 (i.e., has the same degrees of freedom), but adds to model 1 the
opposite cross-lagged effects, estimating the paths from Time 1 and
Time 2 calling dimensions to social support measured at Time 2
and Time 3.
- **Model 4** – Reciprocal Causation Model, which includes all
cross-lagged structural paths. It is a fully cross-lagged model with
the autoregressive effects and the path from all variables at Time 1
and Time 2 predicting each other at Time 2 and Time 3.
