title: Analyzing the convergent and discriminant validity of states and traits: development and applications of multimethod latent state-trait models.
abstract: The analysis of convergent and discriminant validity is an integral part of the construct validation process. Models for analyzing the convergent and discriminant validity have typically been developed for cross-sectional data. There exist, however, only a few approaches for longitudinal data that can be applied for analyzing the construct validity of fluctuating states. In this article, the authors show how models of latent state-trait theory can be combined with models of multitrait-multimethod analysis to develop a model that allows for analyzing convergent and discriminant validity in time: the multimethod latent state-trait model. The model allows for identifying different sources of variance (trait consistency, trait-method specificity, occasion-specific consistency, occasion-specific method specificity, and unreliability). It is applied to the repeated measurement of depression and anxiety in children, which was assessed by self and teacher reports (N = 375). The application shows that the proposed models fit the data well and allow a deeper understanding of method effects in clinical assessment.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Epidemiology Service, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. delphine.courvoisier@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Delphine S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Courvoisier
authors.forename: Fridtjof W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Nussbeck
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eid
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geiser
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011584:Psychology / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data