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ERIC Number: EJ983361
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0027-3171
EISSN: N/A
A Bayesian Model for the Estimation of Latent Interaction and Quadratic Effects When Latent Variables Are Non-Normally Distributed
Kelava, Augustin; Nagengast, Benjamin
Multivariate Behavioral Research, v47 n5 p717-742 2012
Structural equation models with interaction and quadratic effects have become a standard tool for testing nonlinear hypotheses in the social sciences. Most of the current approaches assume normally distributed latent predictor variables. In this article, we present a Bayesian model for the estimation of latent nonlinear effects when the latent predictor variables are nonnormally distributed. The nonnormal predictor distribution is approximated by a finite mixture distribution. We conduct a simulation study that demonstrates the advantages of the proposed Bayesian model over contemporary approaches (Latent Moderated Structural Equations [LMS], Quasi-Maximum-Likelihood [QML], and the extended unconstrained approach) when the latent predictor variables follow a nonnormal distribution. The conventional approaches show biased estimates of the nonlinear effects; the proposed Bayesian model provides unbiased estimates. We present an empirical example from work and stress research and provide syntax for substantive researchers. Advantages and limitations of the new model are discussed. (Contains 2 footnotes, 6 tables, and 1 figure.)
Psychology Press. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A