Some structural equation models of sibling resemblance in educational attainment and occupational status

BACKGROUND This study primarily aimed to evaluate the associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in behavioral outcomes, and potential modifiers (age, gender, and educational attainment) of such associations. OBJECTIVE The COVID -19 pandemic has led to elevated levels of mental distress attributed to prolonged lockdowns, business closures, and social isolation. Its impact on behavioral outcomes is however less known. This study is designed to primarily evaluate the associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in drinking, smoking, physical activity and body weight, and potential modifiers of such associations including age, gender, and educational attainment. METHODS An online survey using anonymous network sampling was conducted in China during April-May, 2020 using a 74-item questionnaire distributed through social media. A national sample of 10,545 adults in 31 provinces provided data on socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related mental distress, and changes in behavioral outcomes. Structural equation models were used for data analyses. RESULTS About 13% of adults reported experiencing at least one symptom of mental distress. After adjusting for age, education, gender, ethnicity, marital status, residence, and number of chronic conditions, greater mental distress was associated with increased smoking and alcohol consumption (among current smokers and drinkers) and with both increased and decreased physical activity. Underweight adults were more likely to lose body weight (≥1 kg) whereas overweight adults were more likely to gain weight by the same amount. The association between mental distress and change in physical activity was stronger in adults aged 40 and above and those with high education. Mental distress was significantly associated with an increase in smoking in males but not females. CONCLUSIONS Mental distress was associated with increased smoking in males but not females. These findings inform the design of tailored public health interventions aimed to mitigate long-term negative consequences of mental distress on outcomes.

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How Cognitive Genetic Factors Influence Fertility Outcomes: A Mediational SEM Analysis

Twin Research and Human Genetics ◽

10.1017/thg.2016.82 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 628-637 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Michael A. Woodley of Menie ◽

Joseph A. Schwartz ◽

Kevin M. Beaver

Keyword(s):

Educational Attainment ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Sem Analysis ◽

Indirect Pathway ◽

Present Sample ◽

Verbal Iq ◽

Fertility Measure ◽

Multigroup Sem

Utilizing a newly released cognitive Polygenic Score (PGS) from Wave IV of Add Health (n = 1,886), structural equation models (SEMs) examining the relationship between PGS and fertility (which is approximately 50% complete in the present sample), employing measures of verbal IQ and educational attainment as potential mediators, were estimated. The results of indirect pathway models revealed that verbal IQ mediates the positive relationship between PGS and educational attainment, and educational attainment in turn mediates the negative relationship between verbal IQ and a latent fertility measure. The direct path from PGS to fertility was non-significant. The model was robust to controlling for age, sex, and race; furthermore, the results of a multigroup SEM revealed no significant differences in the estimated path coeficients across sex. These results indicate that those predisposed towards higher verbal IQ by virtue of higher PGS values are also predisposed towards trading fertility against time spent in education, which contributes to those with higher PGS values producing fewer offspring at this stage in their life course.

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Combined Effects of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Cancer Beliefs, Cognitions, and Emotions

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare7010017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 17 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Shervin Assari ◽

Pegah Khoshpouri ◽

Hamid Chalian

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Educational Attainment ◽

Low Income ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

The United States ◽

Racial Gap ◽

Cancer Beliefs ◽

Risk Of Cancer

Aim: To determine whether socioeconomic status (SES; educational attainment and income) explains the racial gap in cancer beliefs, cognitions, and emotions in a national sample of American adults. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, data came from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 2017, which included a nationally representative sample of American adults. The study enrolled 2277 adults who were either non-Hispanic Black (n = 409) or non-Hispanic White (n = 1868). Race, demographic factors (age and gender), SES (i.e., educational attainment and income), health access (insurance status, usual source of care), family history of cancer, fatalistic cancer beliefs, perceived risk of cancer, and cancer worries were measured. We ran structural equation models (SEMs) for data analysis. Results: Race and SES were associated with perceived risk of cancer, cancer worries, and fatalistic cancer beliefs, suggesting that non-Hispanic Blacks, low educational attainment and low income were associated with higher fatalistic cancer beliefs, lower perceived risk of cancer, and less cancer worries. Educational attainment and income only partially mediated the effects of race on cancer beliefs, emotions, and cognitions. Race was directly associated with fatalistic cancer beliefs, perceived risk of cancer, and cancer worries, net of SES. Conclusions: Racial gap in SES is not the only reason behind racial gap in cancer beliefs, cognitions, and emotions. Racial gap in cancer related beliefs, emotions, and cognitions is the result of race and SES rather than race or SES. Elimination of racial gap in socioeconomic status will not be enough for elimination of racial disparities in cancer beliefs, cognitions, and emotions in the United States.

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Consequences of assortative mating for genetic similarities between partners, siblings, and in-laws

10.31234/osf.io/7yw4j ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fartein Ask Torvik ◽

Espen Moen Eilertsen ◽

Laurie John Hannigan ◽

Rosa Cheesman ◽

Laurence Howe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Educational Attainment ◽

Genetic Similarity ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Genetic Variance ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Random Mating ◽

Phenotypic Data ◽

Common Genetic Variants ◽

Polygenic Scores ◽

To Come

Non-random mating by assortment on heritable phenotypes is typically studied among partners but can also have consequences for the genetic resemblance between in-laws and between siblings in succeeding generations. We used a new model to estimate genetic resemblance between family members for educational attainment, height, and depression, and to test if the genetic variances of these traits were in intergenerational equilibrium. We combined polygenic scores and phenotypic data from pairs of partners (12,867), siblings (341), in-laws (875), and co-in-laws (533). This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Correlations between polygenic scores underestimated the genetic similarity; this was corrected using structural equation models. Partners (rADJ=0.69, 95%CI 0.65, 0.73) were as similar as siblings (rADJ = 0.62, 95%CI 0.53, 0.71) for common genetic variants related to educational attainment. In-laws (rADJ = 0.43, 95%CI 0.36, 0.50) and co-in-laws (rADJ = 0.25, 95%CI 0.15, 0.35) were also genetically correlated. Comparisons between the genetic similarities of partners and siblings indicated that genetic variance in educational attainment is not yet in intergenerational equilibrium and may therefore be expected to increase in the years to come. We also found evidence of genetic assortment for height (rADJ=0.17, 95%CI 0.14, 0.19) and depression (rADJ=0.27, 95%CI 0.02, 0.49), but these appeared intergenerationally stable.

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Educational Attainment, Literacy Skills, Nativity, and Motivation to Learn Among Middle-Aged Adults in the United States

Adult Learning ◽

10.1177/10451595211048554 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104515952110485

Author(s):

Shalini Sahoo ◽

Roberto J. Millar ◽

Takashi Yamashita ◽

Phyllis A. Cummins

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Educational Attainment ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

The United States ◽

Literacy Skills ◽

Motivation To Learn ◽

Foreign Born ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Middle Aged Adults

Research on factors associated with motivation to learn (MtL) is limited, particularly among middle-aged adults and immigrants. This study examines educational attainment, literacy skills, and nativity (foreign-born vs. native-born) as predictors of MtL in middle-aged adults living in the United States. Nationally representative data of middle-aged adults between the ages of 40 and 65 years were obtained from the 2012/2014 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). Structural equation models were used to assess the validity of the latent MtL construct and to examine the associations with the selected determinants in middle-aged adults. Postsecondary education degrees and higher literacy skills were linked with greater MtL. However, foreign-born individuals had lower MtL than their US-born counterparts. Educators and researchers should be aware of lower educational attainment, limited literacy skills, and being an immigrant as possible demoting factors of MtL, and in turn, barriers to lifelong learning participation among middle-aged adults.

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Influence of childhood socioeconomic position and ability on mid-life cognitive function: evidence from three British birth cohorts

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2020-215637 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jech-2020-215637

Author(s):

Eoin McElroy ◽

Marcus Richards ◽

Emla Fitzsimons ◽

Gabriella Conti ◽

George B Ploubidis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Educational Attainment ◽

Cognitive Ability ◽

Socioeconomic Position ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Occupational Status ◽

Birth Cohorts ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

British Cohort Study ◽

Childhood Cognitive Ability

BackgroundChildhood socioeconomic position (SEP) is robustly associated with cognitive function later in life. However, it is unclear whether this reflects a direct relationship, or an indirect association via modifiable factors such as educational attainment and occupation. We sought to clarify these associations using retrospectively harmonised data from three ongoing British birth cohorts.MethodsWe analysed data from the 1946 National Survey of Health and Development (n=2283), the 1958 National Child Development Study (n=9385) and the 1970 British Cohort Study (n=7631). Retrospective harmonisation was used to derive equivalent indicators of cognition, SEP, education and occupation across the three cohorts. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the association between childhood SEP and mid-life cognitive function, via childhood cognitive ability, educational attainment and mid-life occupation.ResultsAcross all three cohorts, no direct pathways were observed between childhood SEP and mid-life cognitive function. Rather, this association was indirect via the three temporally ordered mediators. In addition, the direct pathway between childhood cognition and adult cognitive function was weaker in the two younger studies.ConclusionsAcross three British birth cohorts, we found that the association between early life SEP and mid-life cognitive function was fully mediated by childhood cognitive ability, educational attainment and occupational status. Furthermore, the association between early cognitive ability and mid-life cognitive function has decreased in younger generations. Therefore, cognitive function in adulthood may be influenced by modifiable factors and societal change.

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How cognitive genetic factors influence fertility outcomes: A mediational SEM analysis

10.1101/070128 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Michael A. Woodley Menie ◽

Joseph A. Schwartz ◽

Kevin M. Beaver

Keyword(s):

Educational Attainment ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Sem Analysis ◽

Indirect Pathway ◽

Present Sample ◽

Verbal Iq ◽

Fertility Measure ◽

Pathway Models

ABSTRACTUtilizing a newly released cognitive Polygenic Score (PGS) from Wave IV of Add Health (n = 1,886), structural equation models (SEMs) examining the relationship between PGS and fertility (which is approximately 50% complete in the present sample), utilizing measures of verbal IQ and educational attainment as potential mediators, were estimated. The results of indirect pathway models revealed that verbal IQ mediates the positive relationship between PGS and educational attainment, and educational attainment in turn mediates the negative relationship between IQ and a latent fertility measure. The direct path from PGS to fertility was non-significant. The model was robust to controlling for age, sex and race, furthermore the results of a multi-group SEM revealed no significant differences in the estimated path coefficients across sex. These results indicate that those predisposed towards higher IQ by virtue of higher PGS values are also predisposed towards trading fertility against time spent in education, which contributes to those with higher PGS values producing fewer offspring.

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Measuring the Big Five in Self-Report and Other Ratings

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027//1015-5759.16.1.31 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 31-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Claudio Barbaranelli ◽

Gian Vittorio Caprara

Keyword(s):

Big Five ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Error Variance ◽

The Self ◽

Self Report ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Third Person ◽

Fit Indexes ◽

Response Modes

Summary: The aim of the study is to assess the construct validity of two different measures of the Big Five, matching two “response modes” (phrase-questionnaire and list of adjectives) and two sources of information or raters (self-report and other ratings). Two-hundred subjects, equally divided in males and females, were administered the self-report versions of the Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ) and the Big Five Observer (BFO), a list of bipolar pairs of adjectives ( Caprara, Barbaranelli, & Borgogni, 1993 , 1994 ). Every subject was rated by six acquaintances, then aggregated by means of the same instruments used for the self-report, but worded in a third-person format. The multitrait-multimethod matrix derived from these measures was then analyzed via Structural Equation Models according to the criteria proposed by Widaman (1985) , Marsh (1989) , and Bagozzi (1994) . In particular, four different models were compared. While the global fit indexes of the models were only moderate, convergent and discriminant validities were clearly supported, and method and error variance were moderate or low.

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Collective Efficacy and Organizational Commitment in an Italian City Hall

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040.14.4.363 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 363-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Laura Borgogni ◽

Silvia Dello Russo ◽

Laura Petitta ◽

Gary P. Latham

Keyword(s):

Organizational Commitment ◽

Collective Efficacy ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Practical Significance ◽

City Hall ◽

Italian City ◽

Public Sector Managers ◽

The Individual ◽

Level Group

Employees (N = 170) of a City Hall in Italy were administered a questionnaire measuring collective efficacy (CE), perceptions of context (PoC), and organizational commitment (OC). Two facets of collective efficacy were identified, namely group and organizational. Structural equation models revealed that perceptions of top management display a stronger relationship with organizational collective efficacy, whereas employees’ perceptions of their colleagues and their direct superior are related to collective efficacy at the group level. Group collective efficacy had a stronger relationship with affective organizational commitment than did organizational collective efficacy. The theoretical significance of this study is in showing that CE is two-dimensional rather than unidimensional. The practical significance of this finding is that the PoC model provides a framework that public sector managers can use to increase the efficacy of the organization as a whole as well as the individual groups that compose it.

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A Cautionary Note on Incremental Fit Indices Reported by LISREL

Methodology ◽

10.1027/1614-1881.1.2.81 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 81-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Stefan C. Schmukle ◽

Jochen Hardt

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Maximum Likelihood ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Null Model ◽

Likelihood Estimation ◽

Parameter Estimates ◽

Fit Indices ◽

Cautionary Note ◽

Confirmatory Factor

Abstract. Incremental fit indices (IFIs) are regularly used when assessing the fit of structural equation models. IFIs are based on the comparison of the fit of a target model with that of a null model. For maximum-likelihood estimation, IFIs are usually computed by using the χ2 statistics of the maximum-likelihood fitting function (ML-χ2). However, LISREL recently changed the computation of IFIs. Since version 8.52, IFIs reported by LISREL are based on the χ2 statistics of the reweighted least squares fitting function (RLS-χ2). Although both functions lead to the same maximum-likelihood parameter estimates, the two χ2 statistics reach different values. Because these differences are especially large for null models, IFIs are affected in particular. Consequently, RLS-χ2 based IFIs in combination with conventional cut-off values explored for ML-χ2 based IFIs may lead to a wrong acceptance of models. We demonstrate this point by a confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 2449 subjects.

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