Preliminary notes:

The code below assumes that

• The primary IV (variable X) is continuous or dichotomous
• Any moderators (variables W, V, Q, Z) are continuous, though the only adaptation required to handle dichotomous moderators is in the MODEL CONSTRAINT: and loop plot code - an example of how to do this is given in model 1b. Handling categorical moderators with > 2 categories is demonstrated in model 1d.
• Any mediators (variable M, or M1, M2, etc.) are continuous and satisfy the assumptions of standard multiple regression. An example of how to handle a dichotomous mediator is given in model 4c.
• The DV (variable Y) is continuous and satisfies the assumptions of standard multiple regression. An example of how to handle a dichotomous DV is given in model 1e (i.e. a moderated logistic regression) and in model 4d (i.e. an indirect effect in a logistic regression).

Model Diagram:

Statistical Diagram:

Model Equation(s):

Y = b0 + b1M1 + b2M2 + b3W + b4M2W + c'X
M1 = a01 + a1X
M2 = a02 + a2X + d1M1

Algebra to calculate total, indirect and/or conditional effects by writing model as Y = a + bX:

Y = b0 + b1M1 + b2M2 + b3W + b4M2W + c'X
M1 = a01 + a1X
M2 = a02 + a2X + d1M1

Hence... substituting in equations for M1 and M2

Y = Y = b0 + b1(a01 + a1X) + b2(a02 + a2X + d1(a01 + a1X)) + b3W + b4(a02 + a2X + d1(a01 + a1X))W + c'X

Hence... multiplying out brackets

Y = b0 + a01b1 + a1b1X + a02b2 + a2b2X + a01d1b2 + a1d1b2X + b3W + a02b4 + a2b4X + a01d1b4W + a1d1b4XW + c'X

Hence... grouping terms into form Y = a + bX

Y = (b0 + a01b1 + a02b2 + a01d1b2 + b3W + a02b4 + a01d1b4W) + (a1b1 + a2b2 + a2b4W + a1d1b2 + a1d1b4W + c')X

Hence...

Three indirect effects of X on Y, conditional on W:

a1b1, a1d1(b2 + b4W), a2(b2 + b4W)

One direct effect of X on Y:

c'

Mplus code for the model:

! Predictor variable - X
! Mediator variable(s) – M1, M2
! Moderator variable(s) - W
! Outcome variable - Y

USEVARIABLES = X M1 M2 W Y M2W;

! Create interaction term
! Note that it has to be placed at end of USEVARIABLES subcommand above

DEFINE:
   M2W = M2*W;

ANALYSIS:
   TYPE = GENERAL;
   ESTIMATOR = ML;
   BOOTSTRAP = 10000;

! In model statement name each path using parentheses

MODEL:
   Y ON M1 (b1);
   Y ON M2 (b2);
   Y ON W (b3);
   Y ON M2W (b4);

   Y ON X (cdash);   ! direct effect of X on Y

   M1 ON X (a1);

   M2 ON X (a2);
   M2 ON M1 (d1);

! Use model constraint subcommand to test simple slopes
! You need to pick low, medium and high moderator values,
! for example, of 1 SD below mean, mean, 1 SD above mean
! Also calc total effects at lo, med, hi values of moderator

MODEL CONSTRAINT:
   NEW(LOW_W MED_W HIGH_W a1b1
   LWa2b2 MWa2b2 HWa2b2
   LWa1d1b2 MWa1d1b2 HWa1d1b2
   IMM_A IMM_B
   TOT_LOWW TOT_MEDW TOT_HIW);

   LOW_W = #LOWW;   ! replace #LOWW in the code with your chosen low value of W
   MED_W = #MEDW;   ! replace #MEDW in the code with your chosen medium value of W
   HIGH_W = #HIGHW;   ! replace #HIGHW in the code with your chosen high value of W

! Now calc indirect and total effects for each value of W

   a1b1 = a1*b1;   ! Specific indirect effect of X on Y via M1 only

! Conditional indirect effects of X on Y via M2 only given values of W

   LWa2b2 = a2*b2 + a2*b4*LOW_W;
   MWa2b2 = a2*b2 + a2*b4*MED_W;
   HWa2b2 = a2*b2 + a2*b4*HIGH_W;

! Conditional indirect effects of X on Y via M1 and M2 given values of W

   LWa1d1b2 = a1*d1*b2 + a1*d1*b4*LOW_W;
   MWa1d1b2 = a1*d1*b2 + a1*d1*b4*MED_W;
   HWa1d1b2 = a1*d1*b2 + a1*d1*b4*HIGH_W;

! Indices of Moderated Mediation

   IMM_A = a2*b4;
   IMM_B = a1*d1*b4;

! Conditional total effects of X on Y given values of W

   TOT_LOWW = LWa1d1b2 + LWa2b2 + a1b1 + cdash;
   TOT_MEDW = MWa1d1b2 + MWa2b2 + a1b1 + cdash ;
   TOT_HIW = HWa1d1b2 + HWa2b2 + a1b1 + cdash;

! Use loop plot to plot total effect of X on Y for low, med, high values of W
! NOTE - values of 1,5 in LOOP() statement need to be replaced by
! logical min and max limits of predictor X used in analysis

   PLOT(LOMOD MEDMOD HIMOD);

   LOOP(XVAL,1,5,0.1);

   LOMOD = TOT_LOWW*XVAL;
   MEDMOD = TOT_MEDW*XVAL;
   HIMOD = TOT_HIW*XVAL;

PLOT:
   TYPE = plot2;

OUTPUT:
   STAND CINT(bcbootstrap);

Return to Model Template index.

To cite this page and/or any code used, please use:
Stride, C.B., Gardner, S., Catley, N. & Thomas, F.(2015) 'Mplus code for the mediation, moderation, and moderated mediation model templates from Andrew Hayes' PROCESS analysis examples', http://www.offbeat.group.shef.ac.uk/FIO/mplusmedmod.htm