title: A structural equation model of dyadic relationships within the family system.
abstract: Ideas about the association between family interaction patterns and mental health have inspired a great deal of research on family relationships. Conventional statistical models (e.g., analysis of variance), however, are not suited for the analysis of the nonindependent observations produced by family systems; yet, these sources of nonindependence (e.g., reciprocity, partner effects) are very interesting to many family researchers. This article demonstrates how structural equation modeling enables the study of family processes in a way that is consistent with a systems perspective. An analysis of perceived coerciveness in 2-parent, 2-child families illustrates the method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Ecology, University of Texas, Austin 78712-1097.
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001318:Authoritarianism; D002648:Child; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010553:Personality Development; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics