Curve of Factors Model: A Latent Growth Modeling Approach for Educational Research.

A first-order latent growth model assesses change in an unobserved construct from a single score and is commonly used across different domains of educational research. However, examining change using a set of multiple response scores (e.g.

Using the factor of curves model to evaluate associations among multiple family constructs over time.

Research in family psychology often focuses on understanding how multiple familial constructs develop over time. To examine these developmental processes, researchers frequently use a multivariate latent growth model (LGM) in which univariate LGMs are specified for each individual construct and then correlations are examined between the slopes and intercepts of different pairs of constructs. However, if the developmental associations among the constructs are hypothesized to derive from a higher-order common "cause" or factor, then a more appropriate model is the factor of curves (FOCUS) model.

Migration, Health Care Behaviors, and Primary Care for Rural Latinos with Diabetes.

Many US Latinos migrate or travel between the US and Mexico on a regular basis, defined as circular migration. Latinos with diabetes (n = 250) were surveyed about circular migration and their ability to use medications and perform recommended diabetes self-care activities. A review of medical charts was performed.

Latinos with diabetes and food insecurity in an agricultural community.

Background: Latinos from agricultural communities have a high prevalence of food insecurity and are at increased risk of obesity and diabetes, yet little is known about the associations between food insecurity and diabetes outcomes.

Objective: To examine the associations between food insecurity and diabetes outcomes among rural Latinos.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey with medical chart abstraction of 250 Latinos with diabetes.

Neighborhood perceptions and health-related outcomes among Latinos with diabetes from a rural agricultural community.

Little is known about how neighborhood perceptions are related to diabetes outcomes among Latinos living in rural agricultural communities. Our objective was to examine the association between perceived neighborhood problems and diabetes outcomes. This is a cross-sectional survey study with medical record reviews of a random sample of 250 adult Latinos with type 2 diabetes.