Problems in the measurement of latent variables (LVs) in structural equations causal models are presented, with examples from recent empirical studies. Main issues addressed are (1) two general types of increased operative variables; (2) criteria for indicators of LVs; and (3) disattenuation effects in LV models. (SLD)

This study examines (1) the generalizability of a principal instructional leadership model proposed by Bossert, Dwyer, Rowan, and Lee (1982) across school levels, and (2) whether elementary principals exert more influence over school achievement than secondary principals. Findings supported (1) but not (2). Theoretical and practical implications…

Applied structural equation modeling to evaluation of cross-lagged panel models. Self-reports of physical and mental health at three time points spanning four-year interval were analyzed to illustrate cross-lagged analysis methodology. Data were analyzed from 856 patients with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, or depression. Cross-lagged…

The use of structural equation modeling (SEM) with latent variables to address measurement error and to examine processes that may account for changes in observed outcomes in data from experimental studies is illustrated. An example from a Project Family study is provided; issues that arise in applying SEM procedures are discussed. (Author/EMK)

Measures completed by 250 men convicted of drinking under the influence of alcohol were analyzed to examine the direct effects of parental problem drinking and the mediational influence of drinking motives on alcohol use. The findings extend predictive utility of specific drinking motive dimensions on alcohol use and problem outcomes from previous…

Discusses issues related to model evaluation in structural equation modeling. Supports nested model comparisons via sequential chi-square difference tests as consistent with the four-step approach to model evaluation when models of the factor analytic simultaneous equation type are entertained. (Author/SLD)

Reviews recent developments in structural equation modeling (SEM). Discusses issues critical to designing and evaluating SEM studies and recent technological developments. Examines innovations in applying SEM to different research contexts and designs. Also discusses procedures for redressing common problems and misunderstandings in the…

Studied the contribution of preattentive processes to the cognitive speed-ability relationship for 80 participants. Results reveal an increase in ability-related variances due to the stimulation of preattentive processes. Coefficients for a structural equation model indicated that preattentive processes exerted a stronger effect on cognitive…

Objectives: Children are often considered a primary motivator for women seeking substance abuse treatment. This study tested a model predicting treatment motivation in substance-abusing mothers. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study (DATOS). It used structural equation modeling to describe factors…

Fit indexes were compared with respect to a specific type of model misspecification. Simple structure was violated with some secondary loadings that were present in the true models that were not specified in the estimated models. The c2 test, Comparative Fit Index, Goodness-of-Fit Index, Incremental Fit Index, Nonnormed Fit Index, root mean…

A linear latent growth curve mixture model is presented which includes switching between growth curves. Switching is accommodated by means of a Markov transition model. The model is formulated with switching as a highly constrained multivariate mixture model and is fitted using the freely available Mx program. The model is illustrated by analyzing…

A bias-corrected estimator of noncentrality parameters of covariance structure models is discussed. The approach represents an application of the bootstrap methodology for purposes of bias correction, and utilizes the relation between average of resample conventional noncentrality parameter estimates and their sample counterpart. The…

The choice of constraints used to identify a simple factor model can affect the shape of the likelihood. Specifically, under some nonzero constraints, standard errors may be inestimable even at the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE). For a broader class of nonzero constraints, symmetric normal approximations to the modal region may not be…

The present study describes the development of a short, general measure of experiential avoidance, based on a specific theoretical approach to this process. A theoretically driven iterative exploratory analysis using structural equation modeling on data from a clinical sample yielded a single factor comprising 9 items. A fully confirmatory factor…

An interpersonal stress model of depression transmission was tested in a community sample of nearly 800 depressed and never-depressed women and their 15-year-old children. It was hypothesized that maternal depression (and depression in the maternal grandmother) contributed to chronic interpersonal stress in the mothers, affecting quality of…