erinshelton

Title of QTUG presentation:

A comparison of Second-Order Latent Growth Curve Models: CUFFS vs FOCUS

List of Author and co-authors for QTUG presentation:

Erin Shelton & Dr. John McArdle

Abstract In 1988, McArdle identified issues modeling multivariate growth using second order latent growth curve models. Specifically, questions arose as to which type of structural model to use. Should the growth model be fit to common factors extracted from the measured variables (CUFFS), or should a growth model be fit to the measured variables and then the intercepts and slopes of the common factors be considered (FOCUS)? Both structural models can be fit to the same set of data, however, the models are not nested and therefore statistical comparison becomes more difficult. Most recent works have utilized only the CUFFS model, however, because of the close relationship of the FOUCS models to the newer dynamic multivariate modeling issues (e.g., McArdle, 2008), it is an option worth further consideration. WISC data from McArdle (1988) will be utilized to fit both CUFFS and FOCUS structural models, and fit comparisons will be assessed. Sensitivity of these statistical tests will be examined using bootstrap estimation with different forms of the latent basis (i.e., age at testing vs time of testing) as well as with the masking of some of the available data. Results will be discussed.