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The consequences of ignoring measurement invariance for path coefficients in structural equation models

Guenole, Nigel, Brown, Anna (2014) The consequences of ignoring measurement invariance for path coefficients in structural equation models. Frontiers in Psychology, 5 (980). pp. 1-16. ISSN 1664-1078. (doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00980) (KAR id:43004)

Abstract

We report a Monte Carlo study examining the effects of two strategies for handling measurement non-invariance – modeling and ignoring non-invariant items – on structural regression coefficients between latent variables measured with item response theory models for categorical indicators. These strategies were examined across four levels and three types of non-invariance – non-invariant loadings, non-invariant thresholds, and combined non-invariance on loadings and thresholds – in simple, partial, mediated and moderated regression models where the non-invariant latent variable occupied predictor, mediator, and criterion positions in the structural regression models. When non-invariance is ignored in the latent predictor, the focal group regression parameters are biased in the opposite direction to the difference in loadings and thresholds relative to the referent group (i.e., lower loadings and thresholds for the focal group lead to overestimated regression parameters). With criterion non-invariance, the focal group regression parameters are biased in the same direction as the difference in loadings and thresholds relative to the referent group. While unacceptable levels of parameter bias were confined to the focal group, bias occurred at considerably lower levels of ignored non-invariance than was previously recognized in referent and focal groups.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00980
Uncontrolled keywords: measurement equivalence/invariance, categorical indicators, structural equation modeling
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > HA Statistics
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Anna Brown
Date Deposited: 17 Sep 2014 14:26 UTC
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2022 02:53 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/43004 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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