Latent Growth Curve Model

Abstract

The latent growth curve model (LGCM), a special application of structural equation modeling, has been extensively used to analyze repeated measures data. It is a useful tool for studying patterns and predictors of change over time in linear or nonlinear (e.g., quadratic, piecewise) trajectories of behavior, attitudes, or other phenomena. This entry provides an overview of the basic latent growth modeling approach with the specification and interpretation of the growth factors, delineates several of its applications and extensions, including latent basis model, parallel process models, growth mixture models, and piecewise LGCM. The final section of the entry briefly compares the latent growth curve modeling approach to the multilevel modeling approach.

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