A general approach is proposed to avoid improper solutions in structural equation models. The constrained estimation approach presented, which is based on an adaptation of a globally convergent method for nonlinear programming, has worked well in all trials. (SLD)

Describes how a hierarchical regression analysis may be conducted in structural equation modeling. The main procedure is to perform a Cholesky or triangular decomposition of the intercorrelations among the latest predictors. Provides an example of a hierarchical regression analysis with latent variables. (SLD)

Proposes an extension of the propensity score adjustment method to the analysis of group differences on latent variable models. Uses multiple indicators-multiple causes (MIMIC) structural equation modeling to test hypotheses about treatment group differences. Discusses the role of factorial invariance as it relates to this approach. (SLD)

Using a fictional dialog between Tweedledee and Tweedledum (L. Carroll, 1856), the work of H. W. Marsh and K.-T. Hau (1996) on parsimony is interpreted in several ways. Definitions of "judgment" and "rules" are presented and argued before the author concludes that a main thesis of the Marsh article is that judgment is essential…

Discusses techniques to account for unmeasured third variables in longitudinal designs, introducing a series of less restrictive synchronous common factor models as an extension of the synchronous common factor model. Recommends the use of such models, which can be tested by structural equation modeling, when possible third variables might have…

Discusses the propriety and practical advantages of specifying multivariate time series models in the context of structural equation modeling for time series and longitudinal panel data. For time series data, the multiple indicator model specification improves on classical time series analysis. For panel data, the multiple indicator model…

Outlines a covariance structure analysis approach to the study of parameter trends. Uses the program RAMONA to illustrate the method by fitting a corresponding confirmatory factor analysis model to correlational data from a study involving several psychometric tests and fluid intelligence tasks. (SLD)

Compares two statistical approaches for the analysis of data obtained from married couples. Summarizes a current multilevel (or hierarchical) model that has demonstrated usefulness in marital research and respecifies this model into a more familiar structural equation modeling formulation. (SLD)

Explains why, when one is using a bootstrapping approach for generating empirical standard errors for parameters of interest, the researchers must choose to fix an indicator path rather than the latent variable variance for the empirical standard errors to be generated properly. (SLD)

Model evaluation is one of the most important aspects of structural equation modeling (SEM). Many model fit indices have been developed. It is not an exaggeration to say that nearly every publication using the SEM methodology has reported at least one fit index. Most fit indices are defined through test statistics. Studies and interpretation of…

In this article we show the one-factor model can be rewritten as a quasi-simplex model. Using this result along with addition theorems from time series analysis, we describe a common general model, the nonstationary autoregressive moving average (NARMA) model, that includes as a special case, any latent variable model with continuous indicators…

Using a semi-partial correlation approach, Gignac, Stough, and Loukomitis [Gignac, G. E., Stough, C., & Loukomitis, S. (2004). Openness, intelligence, and self-report intelligence. Intelligence, 32, 133-143] examined the relationship between Openness and 'g' and residualized scores from Vocabulary and Information as estimates of crystallized…

The aim of the present study was to further investigate the properties of a "quantitative" factor previously identified in the "diagrams, tables and maps" subtest of SweSAT. The analyses were carried out with a structural equation modelling technique on the spring 1991 version of SweSAT with 19-year-old test takers and were…

The common factor model assumes that the linear coefficients (intercepts and factor loadings) linking the observed variables to the latent factors are fixed coefficients (i.e., common for all participants). When the observed variables are participants' observed responses to stimuli, such as their responses to the items of a questionnaire, the …

Early coital debut is a risk factor for HIV. In this paper we investigate the predictors of young adolescents' transition to first intercourse using a social cognition theoretical framework. The analyses reported here were based on a longitudinal study of 2360 students in the schools allocated to the control arm of a cluster-randomized controlled…