Structural equation modeling in pediatric psychology: overview and review of applications.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology (JPP) and to discuss the usefulness of SEM applications in pediatric psychology research.


METHODS
The use of SEM in JPP between 1997 and 2006 was examined and compared to leading journals in clinical psychology, clinical child psychology, and child development.


RESULTS
SEM techniques were used in <4% of the empirical articles appearing in JPP between 1997 and 2006. SEM was used less frequently in JPP than in other clinically relevant journals over the past 10 years. However, results indicated a recent increase in JPP studies employing SEM techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
SEM is an under-utilized class of techniques within pediatric psychology research, although investigations employing these methods are becoming more prevalent. Despite its infrequent use to date, SEM is a potentially useful tool for advancing pediatric psychology research with a number of advantages over traditional statistical methods.
Nelson
Timothy D
TD
Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Ave., Room 2010, Lawrence, KS 66045-7555, USA.
Aylward
Brandon S
BS
Steele
Ric G
RG
D015706:Bibliometrics; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D002666:Psychology, Child / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012106:Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design