title: Revisiting measurement models in psychosomatic medicine research: a latent variable approach.
abstract: In this article, we describe how a latent variable modeling approach to the specification of measurement error unifies and benefits traditional methods of examining reliability in psychology and medicine. The models presented include classical reliability and generalizability theory to account for measurement error, latent class analysis to assess sensitivity and specificity, and item response theory to improve questionnaire development. We also illustrate how working with latent variables, in addition to addressing measurement error, may help deal with some instances of missing data. Throughout the article, analyses and results from examples and published articles are presented to illustrate the advantage of working with latent variables.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Miami, PO Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA. mllabre@miami.edu
authors.forename: Maria M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Llabre
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D011611:Psychosomatic Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*