Reports a combined interview and observation study of parent-child relationships in families with an eldest child aged six to seven years. Interview data focused on time spent with children, performance of child-need tasks, and frequency of parent-child interactions. (PCB)

Children's Type A behaviors remained moderately stable over time. The magnitude of the stability did not differ as a function of two versus five years of follow-up, or because of the sex, grade, or community in which the child lived. (PCB)

Provides an overview of the issue's special section on structural equation modeling, indicating what the section contains and what it omits. (Author/RH)

Defines structural equation modeling (SEM) and points out its relation to other more familiar data-analytic techniques, as well as some of the potentials and pitfalls of SEM in the analysis of developmental data. Discussion focuses on causal modeling, path diagrams, ordinary least-squares regression analysis, and powerful methods for model…

Examines and rejects common criticisms of the causality concept; shows causality is a relation implied in the grammar of a language about objects. Discusses objective criteria for concepts of causal relations and explains how the concept of causality may be modified to have causes determine probabilities of outcomes. (Author/RH)

Provides a set of guidelines for evaluating research using structural equation modeling (SEM). Offers insight into how someone familiar with SEM would judge the adequacy of a study using such methods. (Author/RH)

An analysis using data drawn from Nancy Bayley's Berkeley Growth Study is performed for didactic purposes to illustrate the use of structural equation modeling on a child development data set. Alternatives to standard latent factor approaches are demonstrated for use in research situations in which the subject-to-variable ratio is less than…

Demonstrates how structural equation modeling can be used to translate a verbal theory into a mathematical model that can be estimated and tested, and from which inferences can be drawn. Data used was taken from a previous study of the effects of family socialization on the formation of achievement values and self-concept. (Author/RH)

Introduces structural modeling with nonnormal continuous variables, using the equations language of the micro-mainframe program EQS in the context of a longitudinal study of adolescent development that followed about 700 adolescents across an 8-year span into young adulthood. Two models are developed to assess the influence of drug use on…

Argues that standard structural equation modeling applied to cross-sectional data almost invariably results in misleading findings concerning relations among variables. Describes the latent longitudinal approach to causal modeling. The approach is one that fits longitudinal models to data, even if only cross-sectional data are available.…

Challenges the typical treatment of causal effects in longitudinal data, arguing that models should be conceptualized and tested in ways that directly reflect prior assumptions as to the trait- or state-like nature of the variables. Examples demonstrate that meaningful longitudinal studies of state variables can be conducted without assuming their…

Uses structural equation modeling to combine traditional ideas from repeated-measures ANOVA with some traditional ideas from longitudinal factor analysis. The model describes a latent growth curve model that permits the estimation of parameters representing individual and group dynamics. (Author/RH)

Considers problems which arise when researchers do not have the optimally large sample sizes desired in structural equation modeling. Discusses the ways in which small sample size affects assessment of model fit. Provides a new estimator that may be beneficial for use in small-sample situations. (Author/RH)

Demonstrates ways in which conclusions about models may be affected by violations of the assumption that the observed variables are normally distributed. Addresses the issue of the robustness of findings obtained under such conditions. (Author/RH)

Lists three criteria that can codetermine whether a new methodological technique is embraced by developmental researchers. Criteria include theoretical and methodological zeitgeist, conceptual and functional accessibility, and perspective enhancement. Using these criteria, evaluates the potential impact of structural equation modeling. (Author/RH)