Kenneth A. Bollen & Patrick J. Curran 
Latent Curve Models 
A Structural Equation Perspective

An effective technique for data analysis in the social sciences

The recent explosion in longitudinal data in the social sciences
highlights the need for this timely publication. Latent Curve
Models: A Structural Equation Perspective provides an effective
technique to analyze latent curve models (LCMs). This type of data
features random intercepts and slopes that permit each case in a
sample to have a different trajectory over time. Furthermore,
researchers can include variables to predict the parameters
governing these trajectories.

The authors synthesize a vast amount of research and findings
and, at the same time, provide original results. The book analyzes
LCMs from the perspective of structural equation models (SEMs) with
latent variables. While the authors discuss simple regression-based
procedures that are useful in the early stages of LCMs, most of the
presentation uses SEMs as a driving tool. This cutting-edge work
includes some of the authors’ recent work on the autoregressive
latent trajectory model, suggests new models for method factors in
multiple indicators, discusses repeated latent variable models, and
establishes the identification of a variety of LCMs.

This text has been thoroughly class-tested and makes extensive
use of pedagogical tools to aid readers in mastering and applying
LCMs quickly and easily to their own data sets. Key features
include:

* Chapter introductions and summaries that provide a quick
overview of highlights

* Empirical examples provided throughout that allow readers to
test their newly found knowledge and discover practical
applications

* Conclusions at the end of each chapter that stress the
essential points that readers need to understand for advancement to
more sophisticated topics

* Extensive footnoting that points the way to the primary
literature for more information on particular topics

With its emphasis on modeling and the use of numerous examples,
this is an excellent book for graduate courses in latent trajectory
models as well as a supplemental text for courses in structural
modeling. This book is an excellent aid and reference for
researchers in quantitative social and behavioral sciences who need
to analyze longitudinal data.

Зміст

Preface.

1 Introduction.

1.1 Conceptualization and Analysis of Trajectories.

1.2 Three Initial Questions About Trajectories.

1.3 Brief History of Latent Curve Models.

1.4 Organization of the Remainder of the Book.

2 Unconditional Latent Curve Model.

2.1 Repeated Measures.

2.2 General Model and Assumptions.

2.3 Identification.

2.4 Case-By-Case Approach.

2.5 Structural Equation Model Approach.

2.6 Alternative Approaches to the SEM.

2.7 Conclusions.

Appendix 2A: Test Statistics, Nonnormality, and Statistical
Power.

3 Missing Data and Alternative Metrics of Time.

3.1 Missing Data.

3.2 Missing Data and Alternative Metrics of Time.

3.3 Conclusions.

4 Nonlinear Trajectories and the Coding of Time.

4.1 Modeling Nonlinear Functions of Time.

4.2 Nonlinear Curve Fitting: Estimated Factor Loadings.

4.3 Piecewise Linear Trajectory Models.

4.4 Alternative Parametric Functions.

4.5 Linear Transformations of the Metric of Time.

4.6 Conclusions.

Appendix 4A: Identification of Quadratic and Piecewise Latent
Curve Models.

4A.1 Quadratic LCM.

4A.2 Piecewise LCM.

5 Conditional Latent Curve Models.

5.1 Conditional Model and Assumptions.

5.2 Identification.

5.3 Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

5.4 Interpretation of Conditional Model Estimates.

5.5 Empirical Example.

5.6 Conclusions.

6 The Analysis of Groups.

6.1 Dummy Variable Approach.

6.2 Multiple-Group Analysis.

6.3 Unknown Group Membership.

6.4 Conclusions.

Appendix 6A: Case-by-Case Approach to Analysis of Various
Groups.

6A.1 Dummy Variable Method.

6A.2 Multiple-Group Analysis.

6A.3 Unknown Group Membership.

6A.4 Appendix Summary.

7 Multivariate Latent Curve Models.

7.1 Time-Invariant Covariates.

7.2 Time-Varying Covariates.

7.3 Simultaneous Inclusion of Time-Invariant and Time-Varying
Covariates.

7.4 Multivariate Latent Curve Models.

7.5 Autoregressive Latent Trajectory Model.

7.6 General Equation for All Models.

7.7 Implied Moment Matrices.

7.8 Conclusions.

8 Extensions of Latent Curve Models.

8.1 Dichotomous and Ordinal Repeated Measures.

8.2 Repeated Latent Variables with Multiple Indicators.

8.3 Latent Covariates.

8.4 Conclusions.

References.

Author Index.

Subject Index.

Про автора

KENNETH A. BOLLEN, Ph D, is Henry Rudolph Immerwahr
Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Director of the Odum
Institute for Research in Social Science, and an Adjunct Professor
of Statistics at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He is the author of two books, including Structural Equations with
Latent Variables (Wiley), and more than 100 scholarly papers.

PATRICK J. CURRAN, Ph D, is Associate Professor of
Psychology in the L. L. Thurstone Psychometric Laboratory at The
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has made
contributions to the development and application of new
quantitative methodologies in the social sciences through his
integrated program of research, writing, and teaching.