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Sexual behavior, responsiveness, and attitudes among women: a test of two theories.

This study tests two theories regarding the attitude and behavioral determinants of women's coital and masturbatory orgasmic responsiveness. Data from 115 sexually active women were analyzed using latent-variable structural equation models. Twenty-one variables are used to represent seven latent constructs: Parent Sexual Attitudes, Sexual Latency, Sexual Behavior, Dating Competence, Social Assertiveness, Subjective Masturbatory Responsiveness, and Subjective Coital Responsiveness. Two specific theories are tested with these constructs. Each theory predicts a different structural arrangement among these latent factors with the fundamental difference being whether behavior predicts responsiveness or vice-versa. Two alternate models were found to reflect the data adequately. In both instances, attitudes predicted behavior and, in general, orgasmic responsiveness tended to be a function of behavior.

Adolescent

Support, stress, and recovery from coronary heart disease: a longitudinal causal model.

Measures of support, stress, distress, and cardiac symptoms were obtained from a cohort of 73 male cardiac patients at hospitalization and at 3, 6, and 12 months thereafter. Sets of general and alternative hypotheses regarding the direction of causality among these variables were drawn from the literature on cardiac rehabilitation, stress, and support. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the stability and duration of these hypotheses over three time-lags. The results showed strong support for the general hypotheses and minimal support for the alternative hypotheses. Support ameliorated the subsequent experience of stress and distress and had opposing effects to these variables on cardiac symptoms. Support was more influential in the first half of the year than it was in the second half, however, whereas stress was predominant causally in the second half. Implications of this pattern for clinical intervention are drawn and directions for further research are proposed.

Adult

Toward an explanatory model of nursing performance.

This article suggests a general substantive framework which may be used to integrate conceptually the numerous strands of research conducted in the area of nursing performance. A model which employs the variable-blocking technique discussed by Blalock is presented. Examples--in terms of the model--are given of aspects of nursing performance which have been intensively researched as well as areas which have received limited attention but hold promise. The issue of methodologies used in performance research is addressed. Three multivariate analytical techniques (factor mapping, canonical correlation, and structural equation models), which could be brought to bear on relatively complex performance data and which could prove useful for a wide range of substantive problems, are discussed.

Achievement

Peer and parental influences on adolescent tobacco use.

Longitudinal models of the development of adolescent smoking and smokeless tobacco (ST) use were tested for a sample of 643 adolescents, age 14 to 17. The sample was assessed at three time points. Smoking, smokeless tobacco, and other problem behaviors formed a single problem behavior factor. Structural equation modeling indicated that inadequate parental monitoring and association with deviant peers at Time 2 predicted tobacco use at Time 3. When parental and peer smoking at Time 2 were added to the model, each accounted for significant variance in predicting Time 3 smoking, but inadequate parental monitoring and association with deviant peers still accounted for some of the variance in Time 3 smoking. In predicting boys' smokeless tobacco use, monitoring at Time 2 predicted smokeless tobacco use, but only when parental approval of ST use was not included. Fathers approval of ST use at Time 2 predicted ST use at Time 3, while maternal disapproval predicted its use.

Adolescent

Elevated water levels drive greenhouse gas mitigation in the riparian zone profile.

Wetlands are critical for climate regulation, with their hyporheic zone serving as sensitive interfaces for groundwater-soil-atmosphere exchange. These zones are active hotspots for carbon-nitrogen cycling and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O), yet the impact of water level fluctuations on these emissions and their microbial drivers in freshwater wetlands remains poorly understood. This study investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of GHG emissions and carbon-nitrogen coupling processes along riparian soil profiles of Baiyangdian Lake during water level fluctuations. Employing static chamber measurements, microcosms, quantitative PCR, Metagenome-Assembled genome (MAG) analyses, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), we observed that GHG emissions were significantly affected by water level fluctuations. Specifically, CO2 and N2O fluxes, as well as CO2 production potential were significantly lower at high-water-level conditions. Water level also emerged as a key driver of microbial community structure, with Methylococcaceae and Methanosarcinaceae as key regulators of CH4 emission, and Anaeromyxobacteraceae as central to N2O dynamics. A high-quality Methylomirabilales-like MAG, possessing the complete pathway for coupled nitrate reduction and methane oxidation, was identified. Its abundance negatively correlated with water level, suggesting that these C-N coupling bacteria contribute to reducing GHG emissions. This study provides crucial theoretical insights and identifies microbial targets for mitigating wetland GHG emission through hydrological management.

Greenhouse Gases

Social disconnection integrates genetic and proteomic risks in suicidal ideation and depression.

Suicidal ideation (SI) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are complex psychiatric conditions arising from the interplay of genetic liability, molecular processes, and psychosocial factors. While these dimensions have been extensively studied in isolation, their joint contribution to SI and MDD remains unclear. This study integrates multi-modal data to elucidate these synergistic effects and develop robust models for individual-level risk stratification. Leveraging longitudinal multi-modal data from 13,085 UK Biobank participants, we integrated genomic, proteomic, and social connection profiles. We developed interpretable risk scores using a rigorous supervised machine learning framework encompassing diverse linear and ensemble classifiers. Permutation importance was employed to quantify feature contributions and derive transparent, weighted risk metrics across diverse classifiers. These scores were validated through association, interaction, and mediation analyses. Social connection-based risk scores significantly differentiated cases and controls across the two suicidal ideation phenotypes at 2017 and 2023 with cross-sectional analyses (AUCs: 0.70 - 0.73), outperforming proteomic-only models. Functional dimensions of social connection emerged as the most informative predictors. Longitudinal analyses revealed that social risk scores at baseline predicted suicidal ideation onset six years later, independent of demographic covariates. Interaction analyses demonstrated that polygenic risk for suicide attempt significantly interacted with both social and proteomic risk features in relation to depression. Structural equation models further confirmed that social disconnection acts as a key mediator linking genetic predisposition to MDD and SI. Social disconnection is a critical risk factor mediating the impact of genetic vulnerability on psychiatric outcomes. Integrating social, genetic, and molecular data supports a multilevel framework for risk stratification and highlights the potential of socially oriented interventions to mitigate biological risk.

Humans

Construct validity of heroin abuse estimators.

The construct validity of two methodologically unrelated procedures for estimating the prevalence of heroin abuse was studied using a covariance structure model-fitting approach. A factor analytic estimation procedure and a log-linear-based capture-recapture method of estimation were simultaneously applied to 24 major metropolitan areas of the nation. A test of the construct validity of these procedures for estimating the prevalence of heroin abuse was carried out in the context of structural equation models where the results of the two methods were compared directly.

Data Collection

A longitudinal model of maternal self-efficacy, depression, and difficult temperament during toddlerhood.

The purpose of this study was to test a model of maternal self-efficacy during toddlerhood using a longitudinal sequential design. Participants were 126 mothers of 1-year olds (Cohort 1) and 126 mothers of 2-year olds (Cohort 2) who completed questionnaires measuring maternal self-efficacy, depression, and perceived difficult toddler temperament three times over 1 year. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and maximum likelihood estimation. Findings support a model whereby (a) the more depressed the mother feels, the more likely she is to rate her toddler's temperament as difficult, (b) the more difficult the child's temperament is perceived to be, the lower the mother's estimates of her parenting self-efficacy, (c) the lower the mother's self-efficacy, the greater her depression, and (d) the more depressed the mother feels at one point in time, the more likely she is to remain depressed 6 months later. Implications of the findings are discussed as they relate to self-efficacy theory and nursing intervention with parents of difficult toddlers.

Adult

Factors promoting cigarette smoking among black youth: a causal modeling approach.

A longitudinal model of Black adolescent smoking was tested using 223 seventh-grade students attending public schools in northern New Jersey. Interpersonal and intrapersonal factors were hypothesized to have an impact on Black seventh graders' decision to smoke. After conducting an exploratory Principal Factor Analysis (PFA) using a varimax rotation with the Time 1 data, a structural equation model was developed and refined through successive iterations. The final model revealed friends' smoking to be the most significant predictor of Black adolescent smoking at Time 1, but perceived smoking norms and intrapersonal factors such as decision making, self-efficacy, and self-esteem at home and at school exerted an important influence on smoking at Time 2. These results suggest that social influence factors may be important early in the smoking initiation process, but factors such as perceived smoking norms and intrapersonal factors may play an important role in maintaining the smoking habit in Black adolescents.

Adolescent

Personality, life events and coping in the oldest-old.

This paper compares older adults in their sixties, eighties, and 100s on personality, experience of life events, and coping. A secondary goal was to test a structural model of adaptation. Participants (165) filled out a personality inventory, life-event lists, and coping and mental health measures. Results revealed differences in personality: centenarians scored higher on dominance, suspiciousness, and imagination. While centenarians scored lower on active behavioral coping than other age groups, they used cognitive strategies when coping with health and family events. Results from the structural equation model indicated that extraversion and anxiety predicted morale and mental health.

Adaptation, Psychological

Unraveling causal links between chronic rhinosinusitis and peripheral artery diseases: insights from genetic correlations through genome-wide association studies.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) shares epidemiological links with Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), however, their shared genetic basis remains unclear. We hypothesized that pleiotropic genetic variants underlie CRS-CVDs links via distinct biological pathways. METHODS: Using large-scale GWAS data from European-ancestry individuals, we assessed global and local genetic correlations. We applied Genomic Structural Equation Modeling (Genomic SEM) to dissect shared genetic architecture, performed bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) to infer causality, and conducted cis-eQTL colocalization to identify shared genetic signals. Finally, in vitro endothelial models (HUVECs) validated the functional dynamics of candidate genes under CRS-mimicking inflammatory stress. RESULTS: CRS showed significant genetic correlations with multiple CVDs. Genomic SEM revealed a latent factor structuring shared genetic risk through three pathways: artery diseases, myocardial diseases, and heart failure. Local genetic correlations identified significant local genetic correlations specifically between CRS and Peripheral Atherosclerosis (PAS)/Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) specifically within the chr6: 31.57&#x2012;33.24 Mb locus. MR demonstrated causal effects of CRS on PAD (OR&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.23, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.022) and PAS (OR&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.21, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.011), but not vice versa. Genetically predicted HLA-DRB1, APOM, and COL11A2 expression conferred protection, while HLA-DQA2 increased risk. Crucially, in vitro validation corroborated these pathogenic trajectories, inflammatory stress significantly downregulated the protective APOM and upregulated the risk-associated HLA-DQA2 alongside pro-atherogenic VCAM-1, while HLA-DRB1 exhibited a compensatory upregulation (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). CONCLUSION: CRS shares global genetic liability with CVDs, structured through three primary etiological pathways. Causal effects of CRS on peripheral artery diseases are mediated by immune and lipid-related genes within the chr6 locus, revealing divergent pleiotropic mechanisms. Our integrated genetic and in vitro evidence provides a mechanistic framework wherein chronic mucosal inflammation contributes to systemic endothelial vulnerability, thereby highlighting candidate targets for mechanism-directed therapy.

Humans

Structural equation analyses of clinical subpopulation differences and comparative treatment outcomes: characterizing the daily lives of drug addicts.

The use of structural equation modeling (SEM) is illustrated for comparative treatment outcome research conducted with heterogeneous clinical subpopulations within large multimodality treatment settings. All analyses are accomplished with SEM analogs of more familiar classical multivariate techniques. The effect of the early period of treatment on the daily lives of 486 clients in two drug abuse treatment modalities (methadone maintenance and outpatient counseling) is evaluated. Structured means analysis is used to assess initial differences between modalities on the latent means of 6 latent constructs reflecting daily life. The effect of treatment modality and attrition from the program on daily life latent constructs is evaluated while initial selection differences are statistically controlled. Effect sizes are computed on the basis of SEM parameter estimates. The advantage of SEM over classic multivariate approaches for correcting for selection bias when assessing comparative outcomes is explained.

Activities of Daily Living

A practical and theoretical guide to measurement invariance in aging research.

We describe mathematical and statistical models for factor invariance. We demonstrate that factor invariance is a condition of measurement invariance. In any study of change (as over age) measurement invariance is necessary for valid inference and interpretation. Two important forms of factorial invariance are distinguished: "configural" and "metric". Tests for factorial invariance and the range of tests from strong to weak are illustrated with multiple group factor and structural equation modeling analyses (with programs such as LISREL, COSAN, and RAM). The tests are for models of the organization and age changes of intellectual abilities. The models are derived from current theory of fluid (Gf) and crystallized (Gc) abilities. The models are made manifest with measurements of the WAIS-R in the standardization sample. Although this is a methodological paper, the key issues and major principles and conclusions are presented in basic English, devoid of technical details and obscure notation. Conceptual principles of multivariate methods of data analysis are presented in terms of substantive issues of importance for the science of the psychology of aging.

Aged

The trait-state-error model for multiwave data.

Although researchers in clinical psychology routinely gather data in which many individuals respond at multiple times, there is not a standard way to analyze such data. A new approach for the analysis of such data is described. It is proposed that a person's current standing on a variable is caused by 3 sources of variance: a term that does not change (trait), a term that changes (state), and a random term (error). It is shown how structural equation modeling can be used to estimate such a model. An extended example is presented in which the correlations between variables are quite different at the trait, state, and error levels.

Humans

A causal model of health status and satisfaction with medical care.

Patients with better health status have often been shown to be more satisfied with their medical care, but the causal factors in this relation have not been determined. In this study, a longitudinal assessment of these two constructs was undertaken in which older patients in a health maintenance organization were interviewed at baseline (N = 590) and again 1 year later (N = 526) about their health status and satisfaction with their medical care. Structural equation modeling using LISREL procedures revealed that the predominant direction of causation went from earlier self-perceived overall health and functional ability to later levels of satisfaction. There was no evidence for causal paths going from satisfaction to later health. In addition, a test of spuriousness indicated that for self-perceived overall health, the significant longitudinal path was unlikely to be explained by unmeasured confounding variables.

Activities of Daily Living

A production task evaluation of individual differences in mental addition skill development: internal and external validation of chronometric models.

A production task paradigm for obtaining reaction times to mental addition stimuli was used for internal and external validation of chronometric models of mental addition processing. The first analysis explored the internal validity of extant chronometric models and found that three models, (a) a tabular memory network retrieval strategy (PRODUCT), (b) a nontabular memory network retrieval strategy (ERROR RATE), and (c) a computational strategy (MIN), were able to encompass individual differences in strategy choice for 155 individuals from Grades 2 to 8 and 111 college students. Patterns of convergent and discriminant validity for these models were also demonstrated. The second analysis explored the external validity of relations among (a) two traditionally measured factor analytic dimensions of ability, Numerical Facility and Perceptual Speed; (b) two information processing dimensions presumed to underlie mental addition. Addition Efficiency and Speediness; and (c) a digit-span measure of Short-Term Memory. We specified a series of two-group (grade school and college) structural equation models to represent the relations among all measures and showed that individual differences in the apparently calculative processes that underlie the traditionally defined ability dimension of Numerical Facility are highly related to individual differences in Addition Efficiency and Speediness of information processing.

Adolescent

The factorial structure and stability of the McGill Pain Questionnaire in patients experiencing oral mucositis following bone marrow transplantation.

The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) (Melzack 1975) is an important assessment tool for multidimensional pain measurement in both clinical practice and research. Despite widespread acceptance, empirical analyses have not consistently verified the 3 a-priori factors that guided the subclass construction of the Pain Rating Index (PRI) of the MPQ. This study compared the a-priori model with 2 qualitatively different factor models in 191 patients with oral mucositis pain at 3 days and 10 days following bone marrow transplantation. A semantic model defined by Sensory Action, Sensory Evaluation, and Affective Evaluation factors of subclass descriptor content fit better than the a-priori model and a model positing a single general pain factor. The 3 semantic PRI factors were highly intercorrelated, with the sensory factors correlating more highly with an independent visual analogue (VAS) pain scale. Standardized factor regression coefficients between the two occasions of measurement ranged between 0.4 and 0.5. Mean factor change was greatest for Sensory Evaluation and lowest for Affective Evaluation. All analyses were conducted with the LISREL 7 structural equation modeling program. Although the factor analyses indicated an unambiguous ranking of PRI models according to statistical criteria, these theoretical results generalize poorly to simple scores formed by direct addition of the PRI subclasses. Summary scores can only approximate the unobserved factors and cannot retain the fine discriminations revealed by the theoretical factors. Psychometric considerations suggest that a single PRI total score will yield better practical measurement than any scoring rules based on multiple factors.

Adolescent

The prediction of major depression in women: toward an integrated etiologic model.

OBJECTIVE: The authors develop an exploratory, integrated etiologic model for the prediction of episodes of major depression in an epidemiologic sample of women. METHOD: Both members of 680 female-female twin pairs of known zygosity from a population-based register were assessed three times at greater than 1-year intervals. The last two assessments included a structured interview evaluation for presence of episodes of major depression, defined by DSM-III-R, in the preceding year. The final structural equation model contained nine predictor variables: genetic factors, parental warmth, childhood parental loss, lifetime traumas, neuroticism, social support, past depressive episodes, recent difficulties, and recent stressful life events. RESULTS: The best-fitting model predicted 50.1% of the variance in the liability to major depression. The strongest predictors of this liability were, in descending order, 1) stressful life events, 2) genetic factors, 3) previous history of major depression, and 4) neuroticism. While 60% of the effect of genetic factors on the liability to major depression was direct, the remaining 40% was indirect and mediated largely by a history of prior depressive episodes, stressful life events, lifetime traumas, and neuroticism. The model suggested that at least four major and interacting risk factor domains are needed to understand the etiology of major depression: traumatic experiences, genetic factors, temperament, and interpersonal relations. CONCLUSIONS: Major depression is a multifactorial disorder, and understanding its etiology will require the rigorous integration of genetic, temperamental, and environmental risk factors.

Adult