Growth modeling within a structural equation modeling framework

In a prior episode of Office Hours, Patrick explored “Growth modeling in a multilevel modeling framework.” In the current episode he discusses how growth models can also be estimated within the structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. He begins with a brief review of the confirmatory factor analysis model and describes this as the foundation of the latent curve model (LCM) estimated within the SEM. He explains the motivation for using the observed repeated measures as multiple indicators defining one or more underlying latent growth factors. He then describes using this formulation to estimate an LCM that he then extends to include time-invariant and time-varying covariates. He concludes with a brief description of multivariate LCMs that allow for the simultaneous estimation of growth processes in two or more constructs at once.

To see all episodes in this series, see our Growth Modeling playlist.