Matrix decomposition structural equation modeling (MDSEM) is introduced as a novel approach in structural equation modeling, contrasting with traditional structural equation modeling (SEM). MDSEM approximates the data matrix using a model generated by the hypothetical model and addresses limitations faced by conventional SEM procedures by…

In confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), model parameters are usually estimated by iteratively minimizing the Maximum Likelihood (ML) fit function. In optimal circumstances, the ML estimator yields the desirable statistical properties of asymptotic unbiasedness, efficiency, normality, and consistency. In practice, however, real-life data tend to be…

Cross-loadings are common in multiple-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) but often ignored in measurement invariance testing. This study examined the impact of ignoring cross-loadings on the sensitivity of fit measures (CFI, RMSEA, SRMR, SRMRu, AIC, BIC, SaBIC, LRT) to measurement noninvariance. The manipulated design factors included the…

When comparing relations and means of latent variables, it is important to establish measurement invariance (MI). Most methods to assess MI are based on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Recently, new methods have been developed based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA); most notably, as extensions of multi-group EFA, researchers introduced…

A full structural equation model (SEM) typically consists of both a measurement model (describing relationships between latent variables and observed scale items) and a structural model (describing relationships among latent variables). However, often researchers are primarily interested in testing hypotheses related to the structural model while…