Latent growth modeling

Latent growth modeling is a statistical technique used in the structural equation modeling (SEM) framework to estimate growth trajectory. It is a longitudinal analysis technique to estimate growth over a period of time. It is widely used in the field of behavioral science, education and social science. It is also called latent growth curve analysis. SEM software such as AMOS, M-plus, LISREL and EQS are used to estimate the growth trajectory. Latent growth model was derived from theories of the structural equation models (SEM).

Latent Growth Models (Meredith & Tisak 1990) represent repeated measures of dependent variables as a function of time and other measures. The relative standing of an individual at a specific time point is modeled as a function of an underlying process, the parameter values of which vary randomly across individuals. Latent Growth Curve Methodology can be used to investigate systematic change, or growth, and interindividual variability in this change. A special topic of interest is the correlation of the growth parameters, the so-called initial status and growth rate, as well as their relation with time varying and time invariant covariates.

Similar questions can also be answered using a multilevel model approach.