Longitudinal Data Analysis

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Latent Growth Curve Models

Richard N. Jones

Harvard Medical School

 

Many researchers studying aging, health, and social sciences are interested in whether and how behavior or performance changes over time. For example, perhaps no aspect of aging is more frightening or potentially devastating as the loss of cognitive capacity. It is often assumed that a progressive cognitive decline is an inevitable part of aging. Probing the questions “Does cognitive functioning change as people grow older?” and “What factors moderate the likelihood or pace of cognitive decline?” requires longitudinal data analysis methods. Moreover, with longitudinal data analysis methods, it is possible to move beyond simple questions about whether change occurs to pose ...