|
|
Latent group-mean centering |
|
Message/Author |
|
|
Dear Dr. Muthen, I am confused by the descriptions about how Mplus (version 8.2) centers variables that are not mentioned on neither "WITHIN" nor "BETWEEN". In the User Book (Version 8, pp. 274-275) the following explanations are provided: "When a covariate is not mentioned on the WITHIN statement, it is decomposed into two uncorrelated latent variable... This decomposition can be viewed as an implicit, latent group-mean centering of the latent within-level covariate" After reading this description, I am very confused. What is the difference between this "latent group-mean centering" and group-mean centering Mplus does by using "DEFINE: center x y m(groupmean)"? When writing the Method part in my paper, is it correct to equal this "latent group-mean centering" with normal group-mean centering, and simply say, all these variables are group-mean centered? Thank you! |
|
|
No, the two approaches are different and usually the centering using the latent variable decomposition is better. This is described in the 2 papers: Lüdtke, O., Marsh, H.W., Robitzsch, A., Trautwein, U., Asparouhov, T., & Muthén, B. (2008). The multilevel latent covariate model: A new, more reliable approach to group-level effects in contextual studies. Psychological Methods, 13, 203-229. Asparouhov, T., & Muthén, B. (2019). Latent variable centering of predictors and mediators in multilevel and time-series models. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 26, 119-142. DOI: 10.1080/10705511.2018.1511375 |
|
song hye sun posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2020 - 2:01 am
|
|
|
Dear. Muthen Hello, I have a question while studying DSEM. In example 9.31 of userguide 8, the covariate X is person mean centering, but can't the covariate be latent person mean centering? I wonder why you did cluster mean centering(person mean centering). If I can do latent person man entering, how should I set the code? Thank you always. |
|
|
Latent centering wasn't available with random slope when UG example 9.31 was written but today I would do it that way instead. |
|
|
Thank you!! if X (group mean) is not separately set in DEFINE, is latent person mean centering? |
|
|
Yes, if you don't put the X on the Within or Between list. Unless the output states that latent variable decomposition cannot be made. |
|
Back to top |
|
|