Piecewise latent growth modeling (PLGM) is a class of longitudinal models using a structural equation modeling framework to describe stage-like, discontinuous change of individuals over time. PLGM breaks the overall time window into non-overlapped segments where separate functions can be fitted to represent differential growth patterns for each…

The objective was to verify the construct validity and test-retest reliability of the Test of Advanced Movement Skills (TAMS) with an innovative dual-outcome scoring system. Three statistical approaches--confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and item response theory analysis (IRT)--were applied to the…

Conventional approaches for selecting a reference indicator (RI) could lead to misleading results in testing for measurement invariance (MI). Several newer quantitative methods have been available for more rigorous RI selection. However, it is still unknown how well these methods perform in terms of correctly identifying a truly invariant item to…

Studying development processes, as they unfold over time, involves collecting repeated measures from individuals and modeling the changes over time. One methodological challenge in this type of longitudinal data is separating retest effects, due to the repeated assessments, from developmental processes such as maturation or age. In this article,…

Earlier studies established the role of demographic and temperamental features (DTFs) in the adaptation of childhood stuttering. However, these studies have been short on examining the latent interrelationships among DTFs and not utilizing them in predicting this disorder. This research article endeavors to examine latent interrelationships among…

There is good evidence for an association between poor reading and anxiety, but the mechanisms responsible for this association are currently unknown. In this study, we used structural equation modeling of four large longitudinal databases from the United Kingdom (n = 7,870), the United States (ns = 8,001 and 7,160), and Australia (n = 768) to…

The purpose of this study was to estimate the longitudinal and reciprocal predictive relations between children's social skills, measured by an adaptation of the frequently used Social Skills Rating Scale, and their standardized academic achievement. A large nationally representative sample of elementary school students were assessed at least…

Mathematical giftedness (MG) is an intriguing phenomenon, the nature of which has yet to be sufficiently explored. This study goes a step further in understanding how MG is related to expertise in mathematics (EM) and general giftedness (G). Cognitive testing was conducted among 197 high school students with different levels of G and of EM. Based…

Listening comprehension is important for daily communication and at school, yet relatively little is known about the variables contributing to listening comprehension, especially in the upper elementary years. The aim of this study was to explore whether vocabulary, verbal memory, but also self-efficacy and self-reported concentration contribute…