Latent Profile Transition Analysis with Random Intercepts (RI-LPTA)

Abstract

The primary objective of this investigation is the formulation of random intercept latent profile transition analysis (RI-LPTA). Our simulation investigation suggests that the election between LPTA and RI-LPTA for examination has negligible impact on the estimation of transition probability parameters when the population parameters are generated based on the LPTA model. However, an estimation bias in the transition probabilities is observed in all simulated conditions when LPTA is used for analysis and the generated population parameters follow the RI-LPTA model. Researchers constructing empirical longitudinal models are advised to prioritize the use of RI-LPTA in model construction, regardless of whether LPTA exhibits random intercept effect. This measure helps to reduce the possible bias in the estimation parameters which may occur if the random intercept effect of LPTA is not taken into account during model specification.