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Book chapter
English

Linear Mixed-Effects and Latent Curve Models for Longitudinal Life Course Analyses

Contributors

Ghisletta, Paolo; Renaud, Olivier; Jacot, Nadège; Courvoisier, Delphine

Published in

C. Burton-Jeangros, S. Cullati, A. Sacker & D. Blane (Ed.), A Life Course Perspective on Health Trajectories and Transitions, p. 213

Publisher

Springer

Collection

  • Life Course Research and Social Policies; 4

Publication date

2015

Abstract

The core of life course or lifespan research consists in studying how individual trajectories are shaped and unfold over time, from conception to death (Baltes 1987). Two concepts are fundamental in this endeavor: stability and change. Indeed, while certain individual characteristics remain constant across one's lifespan (e.g., sex, ethnicity), others undergo profound change, to the point that they might mutate into other characteristics (e.g., health, cognitive capacities). Such changes need not be independent of each other. They may simply co-occur, in the sense that while they happen simultaneously, it is hard to infer causality mechanisms between them. They may also be intrinsically related, where one change process is a necessary antecedent of the other, which becomes the consequence. The empirical study of lifespan development necessitates hence statistical models capable, at the very least, of (a) estimating constancy and change in informa- tion from a collection of observed measurements and (b) assessing degrees of interrelationships among constant and changing characteristics. Moreover, in a contextual paradigm typical of life course research, it is also highly desirable to ascertain which characteristics are intrinsic to the individual and which are influenced by, or stem from, external factors. Thus, the statistical models adopted in life course research face a number of challenging questions, which in turn can only be met with an appropriate data collection methodology.

UNIGE affiliation entities

UNIGE research groups

Citation (ISO format)

GHISLETTA, Paolo et al. Linear Mixed-Effects and Latent Curve Models for Longitudinal Life Course Analyses. In: A Life Course Perspective on Health Trajectories and Transitions. C. Burton-Jeangros, S. Cullati, A. Sacker & D. Blane (Ed.). [s.l.] : Springer, 2015. p. 213. (Life Course Research and Social Policies) doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-20484-0_8

Main files (1)

Book chapter (Published version)

Identifiers

Additional URL for this publication

http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-319-20484-0_8

ISBN

978-3-319-20483-3
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Technical informations

Creation

20/04/2016 13:16:00

First validation

20/04/2016 13:16:00

Update

13/10/2025 20:56:00

Status update

15/03/2023 00:23:20

Last indexation

30/05/2026 07:46:51
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