Structural equation modeling with longitudinal data: strategies for examining group differences and reciprocal relationships.

This article describes the use of structural equation modeling with latent variables to examine group differences and test competing models about cause-effect relationships in passive longitudinal designs. This approach is compared with several other statistical methods including analysis of cross-lagged panel correlations, regression analysis, and path analysis. The mechanics and advantages of structural equation modeling are illustrated using an example based on a 3-wave longitudinal study of adolescents' alcohol use. Within this example, the generalizability of the measurement model and structural model are assessed across gender and time, and competing models about the causes and consequences of adolescents' alcohol use are tested. The article concludes with a discussion of some of the strengths and limitations of using structural equation modeling with longitudinal data.

[1]  E. Campbell,et al.  Assessing the Linkage of Norms, Environments, and Deviance , 1977 .

[2]  B. Muthén,et al.  A comparison of some methodologies for the factor analysis of non‐normal Likert variables , 1985 .

[3]  Fred Phillips,et al.  Linear Panel Analysis: Models of Quantitative Change. , 1982 .

[4]  D. Kandel.  Drug and Drinking Behavior Among Youth , 1980 .

[5]  W. Crano,et al.  Maternal Factors That Influence Children's Positive Behavior: Demonstration of a Structural Equation Analysis of Selected Data from the Berkeley Growth Study. , 1987 .

[6]  Eugene R. Oetting,et al.  Common Elements in Youth Drug Abuse: Peer Clusters and other Psychosocial Factors , 1987 .

[7]  R. MacCallum,et al.  Model modifications in covariance structure analysis: the problem of capitalization on chance. , 1992, Psychological bulletin.

[8]  Peter M. Bentler,et al.  EQS : structural equations program manual , 1989 .

[9]  J. Dwyer,et al.  Statistical Models for the Social and Behavioral Sciences , 1983 .

[10]  S. Mulaik.  Toward a Conception of Causality Applicable to Experimentation and Causal Modeling. , 1987 .

[11]  Karl G. Jöreskog,et al.  LISREL 7: A guide to the program and applications , 1988 .

[12]  R. Hoyle,et al.  Evaluating measurement models in clinical research: covariance structure analysis of latent variable models of self-conception. , 1991, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[13]  Linda M. Collins,et al.  Best Methods for the Analysis of Change: Recent Advances, Unanswered Questions, Future Directions , 1991 .

[14]  Ronald C. Kessler,et al.  Linear Panel Analysis: Models of Quantitative Change. , 1984 .

[15]  D. Baumrind.  Specious causal attributions in the social sciences: the reformulated stepping-stone theory of heroin use as exemplar. , 1983, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[16]  John R. Nesselroade,et al.  Longitudinal Research in the Study of Behavior and Development , 1979 .

[17]  Y Kano,et al.  Can test statistics in covariance structure analysis be trusted? , 1992, Psychological bulletin.

[18]  J. Graham,et al.  Modeling transitions in latent stage-sequential processes: a substance use prevention example. , 1991, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[19]  Peter M. Bentler,et al.  Practical Issues in Structural Modeling , 1987 .

[20]  James C. Anderson,et al.  STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING IN PRACTICE: A REVIEW AND RECOMMENDED TWO-STEP APPROACH , 1988 .

[21]  James G. Anderson.  Structural Equation Models in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: Model Building. , 1987 .

[22]  E. Pedhazur.  Multiple Regression in Behavioral Research: Explanation and Prediction , 1982 .

[23]  S. Breckler.  Applications of covariance structure modeling in psychology: cause for concern? , 1990, Psychological bulletin.

[24]  S. Danish,et al.  Peer drug associations and emotional restraint: causes or consequences of adolescents' drug use? , 1993, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[25]  R. Hoyle,et al.  Introduction to the special section: structural equation modeling in clinical research. , 1994, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

[26]  D. Kandel.  Homophily, Selection, and Socialization in Adolescent Friendships , 1978, American Journal of Sociology.

[27]  H. F. Gollob,et al.  Interpreting and estimating indirect effects assuming time lags really matter. , 1991 .

[28]  N Cliff,et al.  Some Cautions Concerning The Application Of Causal Modeling Methods. , 1983, Multivariate behavioral research.

[29]  E. Oetting,et al.  Links from emotional distress to adolescent drug use: a path model. , 1989, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[30]  Leslie A. Hayduk.  Structural equation modeling with LISREL: essentials and advances , 1987 .

[31]  P. Bentler,et al.  Significance Tests and Goodness of Fit in the Analysis of Covariance Structures , 1980 .

[32]  Roger Bakeman,et al.  Observing Interaction: An Introduction to Sequential Analysis , 1986 .

[33]  John A. Martin.  Structural equation modeling: A guide for the perplexed. , 1987 .

[34]  J. Connell.  Structural Equation Modeling and the Study of Child Development: A Question of Goodness of Fit. , 1987 .

[35]  Kenneth A. Bollen,et al.  Structural Equations with Latent Variables , 1989 .

[36]  D. A. Kenny,et al.  Correlation and Causation , 1937, Wilmott.