The authors surveyed a national random sample of 5,837 middle school students on their attitudes toward the inclusion of peers with intellectual disabilities (ID). The national sample provided results that were accurate, with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.4%. Findings indicated that youth (a) have limited contact with students with ID in…

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of violence exposure sequelae is essential to providing effective treatments for traumatized youth. This longitudinal study examined the mediating role of posttraumatic stress in the relationship between violence exposure and psychopathology, and compared the mediated models by gender. Urban…

Phonological awareness, phonological memory, and phonological access to lexical storage play important roles in acquiring literacy. We examined the convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity of these phonological processing abilities (PPA) in 389 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the validity of each…

A general linear model (GLM) framework is used to suggest that structure coefficients ought to be interpreted in structural equation modeling confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) studies in which factors are correlated. The computation of structure coefficients in explanatory factor analysis and CFA is explained. Two heuristic data sets are used to…

Latent-class item response models with small numbers of latent classes are quite competitive in terms of model fit to corresponding item-response models, at least for one- and two-parameter logistic (1PL and 2PL) models. Provided that care is taken in terms of computational procedures and in terms of use of only limited numbers of latent classes,…

This paper presents a discussion of various statistical concepts and techniques in light of two propositions. The first is that researchers need to select analytical techniques that prevent them from committing Type VI errors, which are inconsistencies between the research question and the statistical analysis. The second is that many statistical…

Sample covariance matrices constructed with pairwise deletion for randomly missing data were used in a simulation with three sample sizes and five levels of missing data (up to 50%). Parameter estimates were unbiased, parameter variability was largely explicable, and no sample covariance matrices were nonpositive definite except for 50% missing…

Data from 180 British construction companies were collected to examine processes of organizational culture, cognition, and competition and their effects on organizational performance. Double-loop learning provided a competitive advantage and was most likely in competitive cultures, although cooperative cultures also increased performance.…

Describes an item response theory-based structural equation model that allows the short-term stability and the magnitude of retest effects to be assessed for some types of personality traits. Provides an empirical application of the model and discusses the substantive implications of the results. (SLD)

This paper outlines how the stationary ARMA (p,q) model (G. Box and G. Jenkins, 1976) can be specified as a structural equation model. Maximum likelihood estimates for the parameters in the ARMA model can be obtained by software for fitting structural equation models. The method is applied to three problem types. (SLD)

Developed an EM type algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation of a general nonlinear structural equation model in which the E-step is completed by a Metropolis-Hastings algorithm. Illustrated the methodology with results from a simulation study and two real examples using data from previous studies. (SLD)

Total, direct, and indirect effects in linear structural equation models are examined. Formulas currently given for direct and total effects are reported, and causation is considered. It is concluded that in many instances the effects do not support the interpretations given in the literature. (SLD)

After reviewing the multiple fit indices in structural equation models, evidence on their behavior is presented through simulation studies in which sample size, estimation method, and model misspecification varied. Two sampling studies, with and without known populations, are presented, and implications for the use of fit indices are discussed.…

The potential for bias in reliability estimation and for errors in item selection when alpha or unit-weighted omega coefficients are used is explored under simulated conditions. Results suggest that composite reliability may be an assessment tool but should not be an item selection tool in structural equations. (SLD)

Notes that conventional statistical models are not suited for analysis of nonindependent observations produced by family systems. Demonstrates how structural equation modeling enables the study of family processes in a way that is consistent with a systems perspective. Uses analysis of perceived coerciveness in two-parent, two-child families to…