Longitudinal Structural Equation Modeling

Our motivating goal is to provide an interactive and engaging instructional experience that focuses on a large number of both introductory and advanced topics in longitudinal structural equation modeling. We strive to strike an equal balance between core concepts of the underlying statistical models along with the practical application and interpretation of longitudinal SEMs fitted to real empirical data. Our workshop is designed to provide participants with the materials and instruction needed to both develop a real understanding of the longitudinal SEM and to be able to thoughtfully apply a variety of basic and advanced models to their own data.

Our workshop is designed for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, and research scientists from the behavioral, social, and health sciences. Prior exposure to structural equation modeling is helpful, but we also provide a brief review of the core aspects of SEM that participants can view prior to attending. To have a stronger foundation in SEM, participants may wish to consider also attending our free three-day Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling livestreamed on May 10-12, 2023 and now available for self-paced access.

Chapter 1. Introduction and Summary of Traditional Models of Change
1.1 Introduction and Organization of the Workshop
1.2 Why Longitudinal Data are Needed
1.3 Raw Score Change versus Residualized Change

Chapter 2. Longitudinal Measurement Models and Factorial Invariance
2.1 The Measurement of Change
2.2 Assumptions Invoked When Modeling Change
2.3 Evaluating Measurement Invariance Over Time (Longitudinal Invariance)
2.4 The Longitudinal Confirmatory Factor Analysis Model

Chapter 3. The Autoregressive Cross-lagged (ARCL) Panel Model
3.1 Residualized Change as a Two Time-point Autoregressive Panel Model
3.2 Bivariate Autoregressive Cross-Lagged Models
3.3 Strengths and Limitations of the ARCL

Chapter 4. The Unconditional Linear Latent Curve Model (LCM)
4.1 Defining a Latent Growth Curve
4.2 Latent Growth Curves as a Confirmatory Factor Model
4.3 Intercept-only vs. Intercept and Linear Slope LCMs
4.4 Alternative Metrics of Time

Chapter 5. Nonlinear and Conditional Latent Curve Models
5.1 Modeling Nonlinear Trajectories: Quadratic, Piecewise, and Freed-Loading Models
5.2 Time-Invariant Covariates (TICs): Defining Main Effects and Interactions
5.3 Probing and Graphing Effects Between TICs and Growth Factors

Chapter 6. Multivariate Latent Curve Models
6.1 Time-Varying Covariates: Defining Contemporaneous and Lagged Effects
6.2 The Fully Multivariate Latent Curve Model
6.3 Separating Within- and Between-Person Effects: The RI-CLPM & LCM-SR

Chapter 7. Modeling Population Heterogeneity: The Multiple Groups Model
7.1 Population Heterogeneity in the Conventional LCM
7.2 The Multiple Groups Growth Model
7.3 Extensions of Multiple Groups LCM
7.4 Where to Go from Here

Livestream lectures will begin at 10:00 a.m. and finish at approximately 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time (US) each day. There will be 10-minute morning and afternoon breaks and a one-hour lunch break, the exact times of which are determined during lecture. Local time zones within which the participant is connected must be adjusted to correspond to Eastern Time (US).

Pre-recorded software demonstrations are provided for self-paced learning using R (focused on the lavaan package), Mplus and Stata. Note that R can be downloaded for free. While it is helpful to have some familiarity with one or more of these software programs, this is not necessary. The lectures which constitute the majority of the workshop are software-independent

Dan Bauer and Patrick Curran co-teach the workshop and alternate lecturing throughout the day, with recordings posted at the end of each day for those who might miss or wish to review any of the material. The lectures for the workshop are software-independent but demonstrations are provided in Mplus, Stata and R via pre-recorded videos.

Participants receive access to the livestream, one-year of access to recorded lecture and demonstration videos, downloadable complete PDF copies of the course notes and software demonstrations, as well as data and code for all examples. The PDFs are not time-limited and may be retained indefinitely but should not be distributed to others without obtaining prior permission.