Hello Nico,

you don't have to decide about the model but simply can analyze all sorts of synchronous and lagged effects (1yr, 2yr etc.). A four wave study is an excellent possibility to address that empirically.

Here's a nice paper from the work psych domain that does this and discusses several impact delay models:

Frese, M., Garst, H., & Fay, D. (2007). Making things happen: Reciprocal relationships between work characteristics and personal initiative in a four-wave longitudinal structural equation model. Journal of applied psychology, 92(4), 1084.

This paper may also be of interest:

Dormann, C., & Zapf, D. (2002). Social stressors at work, irritation, and depressive symptoms: Accounting for unmeasured third variables in a multi-wave study. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 75, 33-58.

Best,

Holger

Holger Steinmetz Thank you for the response and the resources. I also considered comparing the effects within the same wave and across waves but was unsure whether this plus my original research question might make the paper too long. So maybe it would make sense to split this topic up into two papers?

Best,

Nico

Hi Nico,

the paper I sent you wasn't too long. As I don't know what your "original question" is; i cannot say anything bout the splitting idea. I could imagine that both goals form separate and unique research questions, so yes that could be reasonable. If you "orignal question" involves knowing the most reasonable time lag, than the time-leg question-paper should be done first.

Best,

Holger