On Fitting a Multivariate Two-Part Latent Growth Model

Struct Equ Modeling. 2014;21(1):131-148. doi: 10.1080/10705511.2014.856699. Epub 2014 Jan 31.

Abstract

A 2-part latent growth model can be used to analyze semicontinuous data to simultaneously study change in the probability that an individual engages in a behavior, and if engaged, change in the behavior. This article uses a Monte Carlo (MC) integration algorithm to study the interrelationships between the growth factors of 2 variables measured longitudinally where each variable can follow a 2-part latent growth model. A SAS macro implementing Mplus is developed to estimate the model to take into account the sampling uncertainty of this simulation-based computational approach. A sample of time-use data is used to show how maximum likelihood estimates can be obtained using a rectangular numerical integration method and an MC integration method.

Keywords: Monte Carlo integration; longitudinal semicontinuous variables; multivariate two-part latent growth curve model.