title: Searching for the full picture: structural equation modeling in alcohol research.
abstract: This article summarizes the proceedings of a symposium presented at the 2005 Research Society on Alcoholism meeting in Santa Barbara, California. This symposium begins with a description by Michael Windle of structural equation modeling (SEM), including the assets and liabilities of this approach. Next, Marc Schuckit and Tom Smith demonstrate the application of an SEM approach to understanding the impact of a low level of response to alcohol, using data from both adolescent and adult populations. Victor Hesselbrock and colleagues next review the results when an SEM approach is used in the longitudinal study of externalizing behaviors. This is followed by a description of the application of SEM to an affect-related model as discussed by John Kramer and Kathleen Bucholz. Finally, Kenneth Sher offers thoughts on how to place these findings into perspective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego and VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California 92161-2002, USA. mschukit@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Marc A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schuckit
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Windle
authors.forename: Tom L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hesselbrock
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ohannessian
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Averna
authors.forename: Lance
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bucholz
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Sher
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012931:Social Environment; D012984:Software; D013618:Tachyphylaxis / Q000235:genetics