Understanding Individual-level Change Through the Basis Functions of a Latent Curve Model

Shelley A. Blozis and Jeffrey R. Harring

Sociological Methods & Research, 2017, vol. 46, issue 4, 793-820

Abstract: Latent curve models have become a popular approach to the analysis of longitudinal data. At the individual level, the model expresses an individual’s response as a linear combination of what are called “basis functions†that are common to all members of a population and weights that may vary among individuals. This article uses differential calculus to define the basis functions of a latent curve model. This provides a meaningful interpretation of the unique and dynamic impact of each basis function on the individual-level response. Examples are provided to illustrate this sensitivity, as well as the sensitivity of the basis functions, to changes in the measure of time.

Keywords: latent curve model; nonlinear growth model; longitudinal data; basis functions; structured latent curve model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:somere:v:46:y:2017:i:4:p:793-820

DOI: 10.1177/0049124115605341

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