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Modeling incomplete longitudinal and cross-sectional data using latent growth structural models.

In this paper we describe some mathematical and statistical models for identifying and dealing with changes over age. We concentrate specifically on the use of a latent growth structural equation model approach to deal with issues of: (1) latent growth models of change, (2) differences in longitudinal and cross-sectional results, and (3) differences due to longitudinal attrition. This is a methodological paper using simulated data, but we base our models on practical and conceptual principles of modeling change in developmental psychology. Our results illustrate both benefits and limitations using structural models to analyze incomplete longitudinal data.

Aging

A causal model for physician utilization: analysis of Norwegian data.

This article contains a causal model for physician utilization in Norway. The model relates enabling factors, predisposing factors, and perceived illness to physician utilization in a linear structural equation model. Our aim has been to study the effect of variables other than perceived illness on physician utilization. The results of the analysis indicate that the number of disability days because of illness and psychologic well-being are almost exclusively the only important variables in the explanation of physician utilization in Norway.

Costs and Cost Analysis

The effects of demographic factors, family background, and early job achievement on age at marriage.

National data for ever-married men age 20 to 65 in March 1973 are utilized to estimate least squares and log-linear structural equation models of age at marriage. We demonstrate that most characteristics of family background (including both the family structure and its socioeconomic standing) are irrelevant in their effect on age at marriage. Intercohort trends are not explicable with reference to the changing socioeconomic, ethnic, or nativity compositions of the cohorts. Regional differences in age at marriage have persisted over the years in only slightly diminished form and cannot be explained by reference to the nativity, ethnic, or socioeconomic compositions of the regions. Early job status relates only weakly to age at marriage. Only those activities that are time-consuming or otherwise disruptive of the smooth operation of normal life-cycle processes during the transition from adolescence to adulthood (such as college attendance and service in the military) seriously affect the age at which a man marries.

Achievement

Rater bias in the EASI temperament scales: a twin study.

Under trait theory, ratings may be modeled as a function of the temperament of the child and the bias of the rater. Two linear structural equation models are described, one for mutual self- and partner ratings, and one for multiple ratings of related individuals. Application of the first model to EASI temperament data collected from spouses rating each other shows moderate agreement between raters and little rating bias. Spouse pairs agree moderately when rating their twin children, but there is significantly rater bias, with greater bias for monozygotic than for dizygotic twins. MLE's of heritability are approximately .5 for all temperament scales with no common environmental variance. Results are discussed with reference to trait validity, the person-situation debate, halo effects, and stereotyping. Questionnaire development using ratings on family members permits increased rater agreement and reduced rater bias.

Adult

Self-reported physical health among aged adults.

A multiple indicator structural equation model is proposed to delineate the various aspects of self-reported physical health. In particular, it specifies structural linkages among five measures of health including chronic illness, number of sick days, physical self-maintenance, instrumental activities of daily living, and subjective rating of one's own health. The proposed model is evaluated by using data from the 1968 National Senior Citizens Survey. The results support the predictions derived from the proposed model and are consistently replicated across four randomly divided subsamples.

Aged

Physician utilization of computers in medical practice: policy implications based on a structural model.

The development of policies regarding computer-based medical technology is hampered by a lack of knowledge about the process by which such applications are adopted and utilized by physicians. This study was designed to test a model of the process by which physicians change their practice behavior by utilizing a computer-based hospital information system (HIS). A structural model was developed, estimated, and tested using data from 270 members of the medical staff of a 1160 bed, private teaching hospital. The overall model consists of a measurement model which assumes that the observed variables are generated by a smaller number of unobserved variables or factors; and a structural equation model that relates exogenous and endogenous variables. The model indicates that consultation with other physicians on a hospital service leads to greater exposure to potential computer applications resulting in less concern about the potential impact of computers on medical practice. Physicians who are more knowledgeable about computers are far more likely to tailor the system to their individual practice by developing their own personal order sets for use on the HIS. All of these factors result in increased use of the HIS by physicians. A number of policy implications related to the introduction of new computer-based technology into medical practice settings are discussed.

Attitude to Computers

A general approach to testing multifaceted personality constructs.

Some personality characteristics are composed of multiple, distinct subcomponents (e.g., Type A, hardiness, attributional style, self-monitoring). The advantages and disadvantages of 3 typical approaches to testing these constructs are reviewed. An alternative approach based on structural equation modeling is then offered. This approach has many advantages over its alternatives, including the provision of an explicit test of the structure of the multifaceted construct, the simultaneous test of the effects of this general construct and the unique aspects of its subcomponents, and the explicit consideration of measurement error. Although the modeling approach does have limitations, these limitations are equally applicable to all of its alternatives. Indeed, the principal disadvantages of the modeling approach seem to be its statistical complexity and the lack of education regarding its proper use.

Adaptation, Psychological

Early disruptive behavior, poor school achievement, delinquent behavior, and delinquent personality: longitudinal analyses.

Three alternative models concerning the causal links between early disruptive behavior, poor school achievement, and delinquent behavior or antisocial personality were tested with linear structural equation modeling. Subjects were boys and girls followed from first grade to age 14. Disruptive behavior was assessed in Grade 1; school achievement was assessed in Grades 1 and 4; delinquent behavior and antisocial personality were assessed at age 14. With regard to self-reported delinquent behavior at age 14, results indicate that the best model for boys was a direct causal link between Grade 1 disruptive behavior and delinquent behavior. Poor school achievement was not a necessary causal factor. For girls, none of the tested models were a good fit to the delinquent behavior data. As for delinquent personality, results indicate that, for both boys and girls, poor school achievement was a necessary component of the causal path between Grade 1 disruptive behavior and age 14 delinquent personality.

Achievement

Dimensions of the Life Satisfaction Index A: a structural formulation.

This research aimed to clarify the dimensionality of the Life Satisfaction Index A. A multiple indicator structural equation model that includes 11 items loading on three first-order factors and one second-order factor was proposed to delineate the structure of the Life Satisfaction Index A. This model was examined empirically by using data from the 1974 National Council on Aging/Harris survey, Myths and Realities of Aging in America. The proposed formulation was supported and consistently replicated across four randomly divided subsamples.

Aged

Multitrait-multimethod models in aging research.

The multitrait-multimethod matrix is a versatile tool for structuring the design and analysis of studies in many areas of psychology, including the aging of psychological processes. The basic goal for which the multitrait-multimethod matrix was developed is the establishment of the construct validity of measures. With newer forms of analyzing multitrait-multimethod data, particularly those using structural equation modeling, it is possible to specify models and employ model comparisons for an even broader goal: the more adequate generalization of conclusions across the facets included in the study. Topics addressed in this paper include the design of multitrait-multimethod studies, the specification of an array of structural models for such data, model comparisons that allow the estimation of the degree of convergent validity, discriminant validity, and method variance exhibited by a set of measures, and the extension of structural models to more than a single group, which allows the testing of questions regarding means, as well as the traditional tests of differences in variance and covariance. The procedures discussed are then explicated by describing the representation of data from a hypothetical four-group study of memory employing a form of design that is common in research on aging. Strengths and weaknesses of the structural modeling approach to the analysis of multitrait-multimethod data are discussed.

Aging

A mediational model of the impact of marital conflict on adolescent adjustment in intact and divorced families: the role of disrupted parenting.

The present study was concerned with the development and testing of a structural equation model wherein the relation of interparental conflict to the adjustment problems of young adolescents is mediated through its impact on 3 aspects of parenting behavior: lax control, psychological control, and parental rejection/withdrawal. The model was tested separately on a sample of 46 young adolescents from intact families and a group of 51 adolescents from recently divorced families. The hypothesis that most of the relation between martial conflict and adolescent adjustment problems could be explained through perturbations in the parent-child relationship received considerable support; the only direct effect of conflict was on externalizing problems in the intact sample. The results also suggested that the mediational patterns were somewhat different for the 2 samples, and that the model accounts for a greater proportion of the variance in the adjustment problems of adolescents from intact homes than of those from recently divorced families.

Adaptation, Psychological

Ruminosignatures associated with methane emissions and feed efficiency across geographies and cattle breeds.

The cattle rumen microbiota represents a complex and dynamic ecosystem whose organization and relationship to host phenotypes are important for food security and environmental sustainability. We analyzed rumen microbiota profiles from 2496 cattle representing five breeds and production systems across five countries, identifying microbial co-abundance groups termed Ruminosignatures. We detected 14 distinct Ruminosignatures, including 2 observed across all populations dominated by Prevotella and UBA2810. Additional Ruminosignatures showed breed- and diet-specific patterns and collectively explained 96%-99% of variance in rumen microbial composition. Integrative cross-country analysis confirmed 10 out of 14 Ruminosignatures identified in cohort-specific analyses. Several Ruminosignatures were associated with methane emissions and feed efficiency traits and were partially under host genetic control, with heritability estimates ranging from 0.09 to 0.58. Structural equation modeling revealed consistent negative genetic and phenotypic correlations between the UBA2810-dominated Ruminosignature (RS_UBA2) and methane emissions across cohorts (rg = -0.40 to -0.65), with structural coefficients concordant in sign across all populations, supporting the expected direction of phenotypic response to selection on RS_UBA2. Meta-analysis confirmed positive associations of RS_UBA2 with average daily gain and negative associations with methane-related traits and feed conversion ratio. Functional genome-based predictions suggested RS_UBA2 may reduce methanogenesis through alternative hydrogen utilization pathways competing with methanogenic archaea. Production system type influenced both Ruminosignature occurrence and relationships with host phenotypes, emphasizing the relevance of context-specific strategies for microbiome modulation. Our findings highlight the potential of the Ruminosignatures framework for microbiome-informed breeding programs aimed at improving feed efficiency while reducing the environmental impact of cattle production.

Animals

Functional convergence of rTCA-related carbon-fixation potential and biochemical residue accumulation in seagrass sediments.

Seagrass meadows are globally significant blue carbon ecosystems, yet the microbial and biochemical mechanisms driving sediment organic carbon (SOC) accumulation remain poorly understood. To address this, we employed an integrated approach combining metagenomic sequencing, biochemical assays, and structural equation modeling to investigate carbon cycling in the seagrass and adjacent unvegetated sediments of Swan Lake, China. A total of 115,179 carbon fixation genes and 119,615 decomposition genes were identified, revealing distinct microbial community structures among the habitats. Seagrass sediments harbored more diverse carbon-fixing (CFMs) and decomposing microorganisms (CDMs), with 83 medium-to high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) recovered. While neutral community model analysis indicated that stochastic processes predominantly governed community assembly, functional analyses highlighted specific drivers of sequestration. The reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle emerged as the dominant carbon fixation pathway, with key genes (e.g., aclA, korA) showing strong positive correlations with SOC. Conversely, decomposition pathways for starch and lignin were negatively associated with SOC. Furthermore, seagrass sediments exhibited elevated concentrations of total amino sugars (TAS) and lignin phenols (TLP), which linked significantly to carbon fixation rather than decomposition. PLS-SEM revealed statistically significant associations among seagrass traits, environmental variables, microbial carbon-fixation potential, biochemical residue pools, and SOC, supporting a mechanistic pathway in which enhanced microbial functional potential drives the accumulation of recalcitrant biochemical residues, thereby facilitating long-term carbon retention in sediments. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of microbial anabolism and the accumulation of biosynthetic residues in sediment carbon storage, suggesting a functional convergence in seagrass-driven carbon sinks.

Metagenomics

Factors affecting alcohol consumption in black women. Part I.

The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the extent to which a general model for understanding and predicting Black mental health problems accounts for the particular problem of alcohol consumption in an urban sample of 289 African American women. The general model consists of eight variables: life events, social support, religious orientation, internalized racialism, physical health problems, marital status, socioeconomic status, and developmental status. In Part I expected interrelationships among variables are presented, from which a structural equation model for understanding and predicting alcohol consumption is formulated. Methods for evaluating the model are described in Part II (International Journal of the Addictions, Vol. 25, No. 12).

Adult

The role of risk and protective factors in predicting symptomatology in adolescent self-identified children of alcoholic parents.

Tested a stress process model for predicting mental health symptoms in children of alcoholics (COAs). Stress and mental health measures were completed twice over a 3-month period by 145 high school students, 43 of whom self-identified as COAs. Using structural equation modeling, a stress process model for predicting mental health symptoms in children provided a good fit to the data. COA status was related to higher levels of negative and lower levels of positive events. In turn, positive and negative life events were found to have an immediate, but not a longitudinal, direct effect on adolescent symptomatology.

Adaptation, Psychological

Support from spouse as mediator and moderator of the disruptive influence of economic strain on parenting.

A model is presented regarding associations between economic strain, support from spouse, and quality of parenting. The model was tested using a sample of 451 2-parent families, each of which included a seventh grader (age 12-13). Parent and adolescent reports, as well as observational ratings, were used as indicators of constructs. Analysis using structural equation modeling procedures indicated that level of spouse support was positively related to supportive parenting, whereas economic strain operated to undermine parental involvement. As posited, economic strain produced its effect through a direct relation with parenting and indirectly through its association with spouse support. These findings held for mothers and fathers, regardless of the gender of the child. Spouse support moderated the impact of economic strain on supportive parenting for mothers but not fathers. Possible explanations for this gender difference are presented.

Adult

Peer cluster theory and adolescent drug use: a reanalysis.

Peer cluster theory hypothesizes that peer drug association has a direct effect on adolescent drug use. In turn, peer drug associations are influenced by familial factors (sanctions and strength) and individual variables (religious identification, school adjustment). Oetting and Beauvais evaluated peer cluster theory in a cross-sectional survey of 415 high school students [1]. We hypothesized, evaluated, and found support for an alternative model in which poorer school adjustment was specified as a consequence of drug use, peer drug associations, lack of family sanctions against drug use, low religious identification, and absence of family strength. This reanalysis illustrates that interpretations of structural equation modeling results from cross-sectional data are especially problematic.

Adolescent

Nutritional modulation of host physiology, behavior, and gut microbiome in the captive rodent Octodon degus.

Diet is a key determinant of health by affecting nutrient metabolism, energy balance, body weight regulation, and mental health. The gut-brain axis is a critical pathway through which dietary factors influence cognitive function and behavior via microbial metabolites. While this relationship has been extensively studied in traditional laboratory models, diet-microbiome-cognition interactions remain largely unexplored in Octodon degus, an emerging model for aging, neurodegeneration, and cognitive research. Here, we compared two widely used rodent diets-LabDiet and Champion-to evaluate their effects on digestive efficiency, behavior, and gut microbiome composition. We also examined the relationships between these variables using piecewise structural equation modeling (pSEM). Our results indicated that LabDiet-fed degus exhibited enhanced nutrient absorption, higher fecal acetic acid levels, and a higher abundance of Actinobacteria (particularly Bifidobacterium), likely driven by its vitamin C supplementation. These animals also showed improved working memory and social motivation, but they displayed increased anxiety-like behavior. In contrast, Champion-fed degus, which consumed a more fiber-diverse, plant-based diet, showed lower anxiety traits and significantly greater gut microbial richness, with higher abundance of Bacteroidota and Tenericutes. Innate behaviors, such as burrowing and nesting, remained unaffected by the diet. SEM analysis revealed that diet explained most of the variance in microbial activity and identified a positive association between acetic acid levels and cognitive performance. This emphasizes a strong relationship among diet, microbiome, and brain function. Overall, our results suggest that dietary composition is a key factor influencing experimental outcomes in degus, with important implications for physiology, cognition, and microbial ecology. Standardizing dietary inputs is essential to ensure reproducibility in behavioral and biomedical studies using this model. Additionally, our results reinforce the microbiome's role as a mediator of diet-driven brain function via SCFAs, underscoring degus as a powerful system for investigating diet-microbiome-neurobehavioral interactions relevant to aging and mental health.

Animals