Latent Variable Measurement Models

The focus of this chapter is on the principles and methods of latent variable measurement models in applied research. After a review of the common factor model, examples of exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis are provided along with a recently developed hybrid of these two approaches (exploratory structural equation modeling). In addition, more advanced applications are illustrated, including multiple-group models, to evaluate measurement invariance and population heterogeneity, and various types of higher-order factor models (e.g., second-order factor analysis, bifactor models). Future directions are discussed, including more recent advances in these methodologies (e.g., factor mixture models, multilevel factor models, nonlinear factor models).