Applying Longitudinal Mean and Covariance Structures (LMACS) Analysis to Assess Construct Stability Over Two Time Points

Abstract

AbstractTraditional methods of assessing construct stability are reviewed and longitudinal mean and covariance structures (LMACS) analysis, a modern approach, is didactically illustrated using psychological entitlement data. Measurement invariance and latent variable stability results are interpreted, emphasizing substantive implications for educators and the utility of LMACS analysis in longitudinal research.KeywordsLMACSconstruct stabilitymeasurement invariancestructural equation modelingpsychological entitlement NotesDeclaration of Conflicting Interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/orPUBLICation of this article.Funding The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/orPUBLICation of this article.Additional informationNotes on contributorsBozhidar M. BashkovBozhidar M. Bashkov is a doctoral student in the Assessment and Measurement PhD program at James Madison University, where he also earned his master's degree in psychological sciences (quantitative psychology concentration). His research focuses on the application of latent variable techniques (e.g., IRT, SEM) to assess student learning and development.Sara J. FinneySara J. Finney is an associate professor in the Department of Graduate Psychology at James Madison University. In addition to teaching multivariate statistics and structural equation modeling for the Assessment and Measurement PhD program, she is the coordinator of the Quantitative Psychology concentration within the Psychological Sciences MA program. The majority of her research involves the use of structural equation modeling to gather construct validity evidence for various self-report measures.