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Structured Equation Modeling

This document provides an overview of structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. It defines key SEM concepts like measured and latent variables, path and measurement models, and direct and indirect effects. It also outlines assumptions of SEM like sample size requirements, missing data handling, and the need for multivariate normality. The document describes how SEM is used to test theoretical models by estimating population covariance and examining model fit statistics.

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ctshakirah
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121 views

Structured Equation Modeling

This document provides an overview of structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. It defines key SEM concepts like measured and latent variables, path and measurement models, and direct and indirect effects. It also outlines assumptions of SEM like sample size requirements, missing data handling, and the need for multivariate normality. The document describes how SEM is used to test theoretical models by estimating population covariance and examining model fit statistics.

Uploaded by

ctshakirah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SEM Structural Equation Modeling

CSA Covariance Structure Analysis


Causal Models
Simultaneous Equations
Path Analysis
Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Combination of factor analysis and regression
Continuous and discrete predictors and outcomes
Relationships among measured or latent variables
Direct link between Path Diagrams and
equations and fit statistics
Models contain both measurement and path
models
Measured variable
Observed variables, indicators or manifest
variables in an SEM design
Predictors and outcomes in path analysis
Squares in the diagram
Latent Variable
Un-observable variable in the model, factor,
construct
Construct driving measured variables in the
measurement model
Circles in the diagram
Error or E
Variance left over after prediction of a
measured variable
Disturbance or D
Variance left over after prediction of a factor
Exogenous Variable
Variable that predicts other variables
Endogenous Variables
A variable that is predicted by another variable
A predicted variable is endogenous even if it in
Measurement Model
The part of the model that relates indicators to
latent factors
The measurement model is the factor analytic
part of SEM
Path model
This is the part of the model that relates variable
or factors to one another (prediction)
If no factors are in the model then only path
model exists between indicators
Direct Effect
Regression coefficients of direct prediction
Indirect Effect
Mediating effect of x1 on y through x2
Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Covariance Structure
Relationships based on variance and
covariance
Mean Structure
Includes means (intercepts) into the model
Single-headed arrow
This is prediction
Regression Coefficient or factor loading
Double headed arrow
This is correlation
Missing Paths
Hypothesized absence of relationship
Can also set path to zero
D

E BDI Dep parent E

Negative Parental Insecure


E CES-D Depression E
Influence Attachment

E ZDRS Neglect E

Gender
Does the model produce an estimated
population covariance matrix that fits
the sample data?
SEM calculates many indices of fit; close fit,
absolute fit, etc.
Which model best fits the data?
What is the percent of variance in the
variables explained by the factors?
What is the reliability of the indicators?
What are the parameter estimates from
the model?
Are there any indirect or mediating effects in
the model?
Are there group differences?
Multigroup models
Can change in the variance (or mean) be
tracked over time?
Growth Curve or Latent Growth Curve Analysis
Can a model be estimated with individual
and group level components?
Multilevel Models
Can latent categorical variables be
estimated?
Mixture models
Can a latent group membership be
estimated from continuous and discrete
variables?
Latent Class Analysis
Can we predict the rate at which people will
drop out of a study or end treatment?
Discrete-time survival mixture analysis
Can these techniques be combined into a
huge mess?
Multiple group multilevel growth curve latent
class analysis???????
SEM is a confirmatory approach
You need to have established theory about the
relationships
Cannot be used to explore possible relationships
when you have more than a handful of variables
Exploratory methods (e.g. model modification)
can be used on top of the original theory
SEM is not causal; experimental design = cause
SEM is often thought of as strictly
correlational but can be used (like regression)
with experimental data if you know how to
use it.
Mediation and manipulation can be tested
SEM is by far a very fancy technique but this
does not make up for a bad experiment and
the data can only be generalized to the
population at hand
Biggest limitation is sample size
It needs to be large to get stable estimates of the
covariances/correlations
200 subjects for small to medium sized model
A minimum of 10 subjects per estimated
parameter
Also affected by effect size and required power
Missing data
Can be dealt with in the typical ways (e.g.
regression, EM algorithm, etc.) through SPSS
and data screening
Most SEM programs will estimate missing data
and run the model simultaneously
Multivariate Normality and no outliers
Screen for univariate and multivariate outliers
SEM programs have tests for multi-normality
SEM programs have corrected estimators
when theres a violation
Linearity
No multicollinearity/singularity
Residuals Covariances (R minus reproduced R)
Should be small
Centered around zero
Symmetric distribution of errors
If asymmetric than some covariances are being
estimated better than others

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