Relating latent class membership to external variables: An overview

In this article we provide an overview of existing approaches for relating latent class membership to external variables of interest. We extend on the work of Nylund-Gibson et al. (Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 2019, 26, 967), who summarize models with distal outcomes by providing an overview of most recommended modeling options for models with covariates and larger models with multiple latent variables as well. We exemplify the modeling approaches using data from the General Social Survey for a model with a distal outcome where underlying model assumptions are violated, and a model with multiple latent variables. We discuss software availability and provide example syntax for the real data examples in Latent GOLD.

Automated summary

This article provides an overview of existing approaches for relating latent class membership to external variables of interest, building on the work of Nylund-Gibson et al. It summarizes models with distal outcomes and recommended modeling options for models with covariates and multiple latent variables. The article also demonstrates modeling approaches using data from the General Social Survey and discusses software availability.