Longitudinal Structural Equation Modeling with Mplus

“An excellent text on longitudinal structural equation modeling. Social science researchers use longitudinal models to measure the change in attitudes, personality traits, intelligence, feelings, cognitive abilities, etc., over time (Geiser, 2021). With the popularity of these types of models and the abundant use of Mplus, this book does a great job marrying the two areas to provide readers with an understanding of how longitudinal models work and how to estimate them using the powerful software, Mplus….I enjoyed the detail Geiser provides with respect to the fundamental knowledge of the models presented and the Mplus software. The organization of the chapters builds upon each other so the reader can easily follow the model building process and the author does an excellent job explaining each model….The amount of detail provided about Mplus syntax and interpretation of the results is impressive. Another highlight of the book are the BOXES presented throughout the chapters that highlight fundamental topics. From a pedagogical standpoint these BOXES are an efficient way to draw the reader’s attention to important topics in the field of SEM. I recommend this book for researchers who are interested in learning about longitudinal SEM or as a reference for teaching a graduate-level SEM course.”

—Structural Equation Modeling


“Geiser introduces readers to longitudinal SEM by building from simple to more complex models. Assuming only basic prior knowledge about SEM and factor analysis, Geiser offers a careful, clear analysis of advantages and limitations of each method, and includes discussions of missing data, Bayesian analysis, dynamic SEM for intensive longitudinal data, and model selection strategies. This book is an ideal companion text for a second course in SEM that tackles the analysis of longitudinal data. It is a useful reference for more experienced researchers and methodologists who want to learn about LST models. The book is unique in using LST theory to scaffold the presentation of a variety of models for longitudinal data. Discussion of the various models is skillfully interwoven with path diagrams, equations, and Mplus code. Even a beginning SEM user will have no trouble understanding this book.”

—Kristopher J. Preacher, PhD, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University


“This is the first English-language book to introduce longitudinal latent variable analysis based on the crucial distinctions between states, traits, measurement error, and method effects. The book provides an extended and readable introduction to LST theory and, in particular, its implications for a meaningful analysis of longitudinal data. I highly recommend this book for students who want to learn about fundamental concepts of differential and developmental psychology; latent variables, in general; and the analysis of latent variables in longitudinal designs with Mplus, the most comprehensive program for the analysis of manifest and latent variables. I have no doubt that students will profit a lot from this great book written by an outstanding, authoritative scientist in the field of latent variable modeling.”

—Rolf Steyer, PhD, Institute of Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena, Germany


“A much-needed addition to the literature. Geiser writes in an extremely clear and engaging style, avoiding unnecessary jargon while communicating essential concepts in a rigorous manner. The boxes within the chapters provide additional technical information to provide readers with a deeper dive into certain topics without interrupting the flow of the book. The most appealing aspect of this book for an instructor using it as a didactic tool or a researcher using it as a reference is the well-documented Mplus examples. These are truly key to bringing the methods alive for the reader. I recommend this book as a primary text in a course on longitudinal data analysis or latent variable modeling. It provides students with both the technical background to understand LST models and the applied tools to fit them using Mplus.”

—Holmes Finch, PhD, George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology, Ball State University


“The book offers a profound, flexible, and extremely useful framework for longitudinal SEM. It will be of interest to users and theoreticians alike—it has much to offer for graduate courses or for researchers working with longitudinal data in psychology and related disciplines. Even though the primary topic is modeling, the book also provides inspiration for formulating research questions. Coming from a different angle with a different modeling language, I found it highly accessible and appealing. The book builds on earlier developments in LST theory and extrapolates the basic principles to a large variety of possible model specifications.”

—Paul De Boeck, PhD, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University


“Using a measurement theory perspective, Geiser explains the rationale and procedures for a variety of longitudinal models, including simplex models, latent change score models, latent growth curve models, latent state models, and LST models. He translates longitudinal modeling techniques into digestible concepts and frames the relations between these concepts using LST theory. Geiser guides readers through complex issues related to analyzing longitudinal data so that readers can apply these methods to their own research. Easy-to-follow examples and annotated Mplus syntax and output clarify the concepts and illustrate the techniques. While this book is broadly accessible to substantive researchers, its technical rigor also will satisfy quantitative specialists. It can serve as a text for graduate-level courses or self-study of longitudinal data analysis and SEM.”

—Sara Finney, PhD, Department of Graduate Psychology, James Madison University