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. 2021 Mar;44(1):3-8.
doi: 10.1177/0163278720985917. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Modeling Behavior as Dynamic Sequential States: Introduction to the Special Issue

Brian P Flaherty  1 , Lawrence M Scheier  2   3
Affiliations

Modeling Behavior as Dynamic Sequential States: Introduction to the Special Issue

Brian P Flaherty et al. Eval Health Prof. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

This special issue of Evaluation and The Health Professions focuses on applications and extensions of latent transition analysis (LTA), a longitudinal parameterization of the latent class (LC) model. LTA is a model of discrete or qualitative change over time among potentially complex states (e.g., patterns of recent drug use or abuse experiences), commonly referred to as latent classes, latent profiles, or latent statuses. Frequently, researchers will distinguish the term "classes" for cross-sectional studies and with LTA use "statuses" to indicate the concept of "dynamic change" with individuals shifting in their response patterns and associated statuses over time. It goes without saying that LTA models are underutilized, although quite flexible. This special issue showcases articles that apply LTA and extend the capabilities of this approach to modeling discrete change in new ways.

Keywords: developmental studies; dynamic sequential states; latent class analysis; latent transition analysis; modeling change states.

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