Common Factor Analysis Research Articles

Estimation of a regression function corresponding to latent variables

The problem of estimation of a univariate regression function from latent variables given an independent and identically distributed sample of the observable variables in the corresponding common factor analysis model is considered. Nonparametric least squares estimates of the regression function are defined. The strong consistency of the estimates is shown for subgaussian random variables whose characteristic function vanishes nowhere. This consistency result does not require any assumptions on the structure or the smoothness of the regression function.

Model based clustering of high-dimensional binary data

A mixture of latent trait models with common slope parameters for model-based clustering of high-dimensional binary data, a data type for which few established methods exist, is proposed. Recent work on clustering of binary data, based on a d-dimensional Gaussian latent variable, is extended by incorporating common factor analyzers. Accordingly, this approach facilitates a low-dimensional visual representation of the clusters. The model is further extended by the incorporation of random block effects. The dependencies in each block are taken into account through block-specific parameters that are considered to be random variables. A variational approximation to the likelihood is exploited to derive a fast algorithm for determining the model parameters. Real and simulated data are used to demonstrate this approach.

A common spatial factor analysis model for measured neighborhood-level characteristics: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

A common spatial factor analysis model for measured neighborhood-level characteristics: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

The Associations Among Earnings Quality, Voluntary Disclosure, Information Asymmetry, and Cost of Equity Capital: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Structural equation modeling (SEM), a methodology currently underutilized by archival accounting researchers, enables examination of paths linking constructs in complex models. In this paper, we first discuss SEM, including basics, underlying assumptions, advantages and disadvantages, properties of the estimates, and best practices. We then apply SEM to an accounting topic by using common factor analysis to create latent variables (constructs or factors) for earnings quality, voluntary disclosure, information asymmetry, and cost of equity capital and then examining the paths among those constructs. We find that higher earnings and voluntary disclosure quality are negatively associated with cost of capital both directly and indirectly through information asymmetry. Further, the paths from voluntary disclosure quality to cost of capital are significant even after controlling for the paths from earnings quality to cost of capital. SEM allows us to perform our analysis, which would not be possible with other techniques, and potentially offers fruitful avenues for future research in accounting.

Precise Calculation of the Up and Down Quark Mass Using an Adjusted Compton Wavelength Common Factor Analysis

This paper presents an analytical method used to calculate a precise value of the up and down quark masses. The method used is based on a hypothesis that elementary particles share force carrier particles with precise quantities of energy in order to bond using integer multiples of their adjusted Compton wavelengths in addition to their deBroglie momentum wavelengths. Overlapping wavelengths were found by converting mass and coupling energies into large integers using an integer based derivation of Einstein's energy momentum equation. Both the (uud) proton and (udd) neutron structures were modeled, and the 2010 CODATA neutron-proton mass ratio was used to narrow the range of uncertainty in the quark mass calculations. The up and down quark mass search range extended from 0-6.2 MeV and 0.8-8.8 MeV respectively, with the largest common factor spike appearing within the QCD predicted values suggesting this method is valid.

중학교 패션관련 직업체험교육 프로그램 효과에 관한 연구: 진로결정 자기효능감, 패션관련 진로의식성숙도를 중심으로

The purpose of the study was to explore effects of fashion related work experience program and its satisfaction in middle schools. The study analyzed differences in self-efficacy of career decision making and fashion related career maturity before and after the program. The questionnaire developed by the researchers was collected from 114 participants enrolled in middle schools in Seoul or Kyunggido. The data were analyzed by common factor analysis, and independent sample t-test, using SPSS 18.0/Windows. The results demonstrated significant higher scores in self efficacy of career decision making, and fashion related career maturity after the program than before. Also, they showed high program satisfaction scores. The results of the study could be basic information for work experience program developers for high and middle school students.

Research and practice of management of preoperative examination based on quality control circle

Objective To investigate the effect of implementation of QCC (quality control circle) in management of preoperative examination.Methods Through analysis of the common factors of patients' preoperative examination,the QCC was used to manage every parts of preoperative examination,and the nursing process of preoperative examination for resident patients was formulated.The effect of nursing management of preoperative examination before and after the implementation of QCC was investigated and compared.Results The result showed that the degree of satisfaction was significantly higher than before,and the risk incident was significantly lower than before.Conclusions To carry out QCC could improve the efficiency of preoperative examination and the patients' safety,as well as enhance the awareness of the nursing management. Key words: QCC; Resident patients; Preoperative examination; Efficiency; Safety

Dimensional approach to symptom factors of major depressive disorder in Koreans, using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale: The Clinical Research Center for Depression of South Korea Study

Although major depressive disorder (MDD) has a variety of symptoms beyond the affective dimensions, the factor structure and contents of comprehensive psychiatric symptoms of this disorder have rarely been explored using the 18-item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). We aimed to identify the factor structure of the 18-item BPRS in Korean MDD patients. A total of 258 MDD patients were recruited from a multicenter sample of the Clinical Research Center for Depression of South Korea study. Psychometric scales were used to assess overall psychiatric symptoms (BPRS), depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale), anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale), global severity (Clinical Global Impression of Severity Scale), suicidal ideation (Scale for Suicide Ideation), functioning (Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale), and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-abbreviated version). Common factor analysis with oblique rotation was used to yield factor structure. A four-factor structure was designed and interpreted by the symptom dimensions to reflect mood disturbance, positive symptoms/apathy, bipolarity, and thought distortion/mannerism. These individual factors were also significantly correlated with clinical variables. The findings of this study support the view that the BPRS may be a promising measuring tool for the initial assessment of MDD patients. In addition, the four-factor structure of the BPRS may be useful in understanding the mood and psychotic characteristics of these patients.

Scale development of occupational identity and testing model of antecedents and outcome variables of occupational identity

The first purpose of this study was to define the construct of occupational identity and develop the scale of occupational identity, the second purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure of occupational identity using exploratory common factor analysis and test the discriminant validity of occupational identity with workplace satisfaction, and third purpose of this study was to test the model of antecedents and outcome variables of occupational identity using confirmatory factor analysis. For fulfilling these purposes, three studies were conducted. Data were gathered from 390 workers in study 1, 505 workers in study 2, 1,115 workers in study 3. As a result, the three-factor structure of occupational identity was stably replicated, although the sample was changed. The occupational identity had discriminant validity with workplace satisfaction. Except for person-occupation fit(a subfactor of occupational identity) had a high correlation with general, occupational satisfaction(a subfactor of workplace satisfaction), other subfactors of occupational identity generally had low correlations with other subfactors of workplace satisfaction. It was found that the occupational identity was derived from occupational reputation, dedication to the occupation, occupational pride, and mission to the occupation. And the occupational identity resulted in the purpose of the worker’s life and intention to continue the worker’s occupation. Based on these results, We made discussions about implications, limitations, and future research tasks.

Scale Development of Occupational Identity and Testing Model of Antecedents and outcome variables of Occupational Identity

The first purpose of this study was to define the construct of occupational identity and develop the scale of occupational identity, the second purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure of occupational identity using exploratory common factor analysis and test the discriminant validity of occupational identity with workplace satisfaction. The third purpose of this study was to test the model of antecedents and outcome variables of occupational identity using confirmatory factor analysis. For fulfilling these purposes, three studies conducted. Data gathered from 390 workers in study 1, 505 workers in study 2, 1,115 workers in study 3. As a result, the three-factor structure of occupational identity stably replicated, although the sample was changed. The occupational identity had discriminant validity with workplace satisfaction. Except for person-occupation fit(a subfactor of occupational identity) had a high correlation with general, occupational satisfaction(a subfactor of workplace satisfaction), other subfactors of occupational identity generally had low correlations with other subfactors of workplace satisfaction. It found that the occupational identity derived from occupational reputation, dedication to the occupation, occupational pride, and mission to the occupation. Furthermore, the occupational identity resulted in the purpose of the worker’s life and intention to continue the worker’s occupation. Based on these results, We made discussions about implications, limitations, and future research tasks.

Measurement Invariance of the Passion Scale Across Three Samples: An ESEM Approach

Sport and exercise psychology researchers rely on the Passion Scale to assess levels of harmonious and obsessive passion for many different types of activities (Vallerand, 2010). However, this practice assumes that items from the Passion Scale are interpreted with the same meaning across all activity types. Using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), we tested this assumption by examining the invariance of scores from the Passion Scale across groups of recreational athletes/exercisers (N = 562), competitive athletes (N = 438), and sports fans (N = 256). We found that the ESEM analysis fit the data better than the more common independent clusters confirmatory factor analysis (ICM-CFA) approach and yielded lower correlations between harmonious and obsessive passion factors. Using ESEM, we found evidence of configural, weak, and partial strong invariance across the three groups. Evidence of partial strong invariance provides tentative support for comparing levels of harmonious and obsessive passion across activities.

Exploring the relationship between spiritual well-being and quality of life among patients newly diagnosed with advanced cancer

In our context, existential plight refers to heightened concerns about life and death when people are diagnosed with cancer. Although the duration of existential plight has been proposed to be approximately 100 days, evidence from longitudinal studies raises questions about whether the impact of a diagnosis of advanced cancer may require a longer period of adjustment. The purpose of our study was to examine spiritual well-being (SpWB) and quality of life (QoL) as well as their interrelationship in 52 patients with advanced cancer after 100 days since the diagnosis at one and three months post-baseline. The study was designed as a secondary data analysis of a cluster randomized clinical trial involving patients with stage 3 or 4 cancer undergoing treatment. SpWB was measured using the 12-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp-12); common factor analyses revealed a three-factor pattern on the FACIT-Sp-12. Quality of life was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). We limited our sample to participants assigned to the control condition (n = 52). SpWB and QoL remained stable between one and three months post-baseline, which were a median of 112 and 183 days after diagnosis, respectively. SpWB was found to be associated with QoL more strongly than physical and emotional well-being. Peace and Meaning each contributed unique variance to QoL, and their relative importance shifted over time. Faith was positively related to QoL initially. This association became insignificant at three months post-baseline. This study underscores the significance of SpWB for people newly diagnosed with advanced cancer, and it highlights the dynamic pattern of Peace, Meaning, and Faith in association with QoL. Our results confirm that patients newly diagnosed with advanced cancer experience an existential crisis, improve and stabilize over time. Future studies with larger samples over a longer period of time are needed to verify these results.

The factor structure and presentation of depression among HIV-positive adults in Uganda.

Depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric comorbidities of HIV and one of the greatest barriers to HIV self-care and adherence. Despite this, little consensus exists on how to best measure depression among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in African settings. Measurement of depression among PLWHA may be confounded by somatic symptoms. Some research recommends excluding these items to enhance measurement validity; sensitivity may be lost with this approach. We sought to characterize depression among a cohort (N = 453) of PLWHA initiating antiretroviral therapy in Uganda via factor analysis of a widely used measure of depression, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCLD). Common factor analysis was performed, associations between HSCLD and the Mental Health subscale of the Medical Outcomes Study HIV (MOS-HIV) estimated, and a Cronbach's alpha calculated to examine validity. Factor analysis yielded two factors: (1) somatic-cognitive symptoms and (2) behavioral disengagement. Persons with more versus less advanced disease (CD4 cell count of ≤200 cells/mm(3)) showed no statistically significant differences in depression scores (1.7 vs. 1.7, P ≥ 0.5). Both factors were significantly associated with the MOS-HIV (P < .01). Factor one was highly reliable (α = .81); factor two had only modest reliability (α = .65). Somatic-cognitive symptoms of depression and disengagement from life's activities appear to be distinct components of depression in this sample. Consideration of somatic items may be valuable in identifying depression in this setting.

Human Capital, Management Quality, and Firm Performance

We make use of a panel data set from the BoardEx database on the quality of the management teams of 4635 firms during 1999 to 2010 to analyze the relationship between the management quality of firms and their long-run operating performance, current market valuations, and future long-run stock returns. We create a management team quality index using common factor analysis from various individual proxies for the quality of a firm's management team, such as management team size, fraction of managers with MBAs, the average employment- and education-based connections of each manager in the management team, fraction of members with prior working experience in the top management team, and the average number of board positions that each manager serves on. We find that this index is positively related to firms' long-run operating performance, current market valuations, and future long-run stock returns. We overcome hurdles related to endogeneity by using Vietnam War draft deferment rules for graduate education. Individuals graduating from college during this period enrolled into graduate degree programs for reasons unrelated to their intrinsic quality, i.e., to avoid getting drafted. Using this as an instrument, we find a causal relationship between our management quality index and firms' long-run future operating performance, current market valuations, and long-run future stock returns. We also find that firms with higher management quality are characterized by larger levels of investment and investment growth. The relationship of management quality with firm valuation and performance is stronger for firms in R&D intensive, more competitive, financially constrained industries, and during periods of recession.

Examination of the roles played by brand love and jealousy in shaping customer engagement

Purpose – The purpose of the present paper is to develop and validate a scale of romantic brand jealousy and to examine the role played by the brand love-jealousy framework on consumers' active engagement. Design/methodology/approach – In order to develop and validate the romantic brand jealousy scale the present study has employed Churchill's methodology. The study has used common factor analysis and structural equation modeling using LISREL 8.72. Findings – This research provides empirical evidence for a three-item romantic brand jealousy scale. The study results indicate that the romantic jealousy scale developed is valid and reliable. It also shows that in contrast to previous literature, wherein authors found that brand love would create customer engagement, the brand love-jealousy framework would act as a better mediator to create customer engagement and also to motivate the customer to purchase the brand. Research limitations/implications – This research was conducted in a specific country (India). It would be more robust if the scale developed by this study could be examined in the context of other countries. Practical implications – This study is expected to help managers to formulate a better marketing strategy to increase customer engagement using the proposed brand love-jealousy framework. Originality/value – This research adds value to the domain of consumer psychology research by proposing that brand jealousy needs to be created along with brand love in customer's mind to augment the level of active engagement.

시니어 모델 교육 프로그램 경험자와 비경험자의 참여에 따른 라이프스타일, 신체만족도, 신체 자기효능감, 자아존중감, 패션연출 자신감의 특성비교

The study analyzed differences in lifestyle, self-esteem, body satisfaction, physical self efficacy, self-confidence in fashion coordination between participants and non-participants of a senior model education program. Another purpose of the study was to examine differences between the participants with less and longer than 6 months of the education. The questionnaire developed by the researchers was collected from 200 participants aged between 50s and 70s. Two hundred questionnaires were used in the final analysis. The data were analyzed by common factor analysis, and independent sample t-test using SPSS 180.0/Windows. The results demonstrated significant differences in lifestyle, self-esteem, body satisfaction, physical self efficacy, self-confidence in fashion coordination between the participants and non-participants. The participants showed significant higher scores in lifestyle, self esteem, body satisfaction, physical self efficacy, self-confidence in fashion coordination. Also, there were significant differences in personal satisfaction in lifestyle, body satisfaction, and learning efficacy between the participants depending on the period of the education; the participants with longer than 6 months of education showed significantly higher scores in the factors than the participants who took less than 6 months of education.

Dimensions of Macroeconomic Uncertainty: A Common Factor Analysis

Uncertainty about the future course of the economy is a possible driver of aggregate fluctuations. To identify the different dimensions of uncertainty in the macroeconomy we construct a large dataset covering all types of economic uncertainty. We then identify two fundamental factors which account for the common dynamics in this dataset. These factors are interpreted as macroeconomic uncertainty. The first factor mainly captures business cycle uncertainty while the second factor is identified as oil and commodity price uncertainty. While both types of uncertainty foreshadow a decline in output, surprise increases in oil and commodity price uncertainty appear to be more important for fluctuations in real activity.

Exploratory factor analysis of the 12-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale in people newly diagnosed with advanced cancer.

The purpose of this study was to reexamine the factor pattern of the 12-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp-12) using exploratory factor analysis in people newly diagnosed with advanced cancer. Principal components analysis (PCA) and 3 common factor analysis methods were used to explore the factor pattern of the FACIT-Sp-12. Factorial validity was assessed in association with quality of life (QOL). Principal factor analysis (PFA), iterative PFA, and maximum likelihood suggested retrieving 3 factors: Peace, Meaning, and Faith. Both Peace and Meaning positively related to QOL, whereas only Peace uniquely contributed to QOL. This study supported the 3-factor model of the FACIT-Sp-12. Suggestions for revision of items and further validation of the identified factor pattern were provided.

주성분분석과 공통요인분석에 대한 비교연구: 요인구조 복원 관점에서

본 연구에서는 시뮬레이션 방법을 사용해서 다양한 조건에서 주성분분석이 얼마나 잘 요인 구조를 복원할 수 있는지를 공통요인분석과 비교하여 체계적으로 평가하였다. 이 연구에서 요인 대 변수 비율, 공통성, 그리고 표본크기를 실험변수로 설정하였다. 주성분분석은 표본의 크기가 200개 이하인 경우 공통적으로 공통요인분석에 비해 더 우수한 요인구조의 복원력을 보여주었다. 특히, 요인 당 변수 수가 적은 경우, 주성분분석은 50개의 표본에서도 만족할 만한 수준의 요인복원능력을 보여주었다. 이와 더불어 공통성 수준 또한 낮은 경우 필요한 표본수는 100개로 늘어난다. 본 연구결과는 요인추출방법으로서 주성분분석의 선택의 근거를 제시하고 타당한 사용에 관한 가이드라인을 제시해 준다. Common factor analysis and principal component analysis represent two technically distinctive approaches to exploratory factor analysis. Much of the psychometric literature recommends the use of common factor analysis instead of principal component analysis. Nonetheless, factor analysts use principal component analysis more frequently because they believe that principal component analysis could yield (relatively) less accurate estimates of factor loadings compared to common factor analysis but most often produce similar pattern of factor loadings, leading to essentially the same factor interpretations. A simulation study is conducted to evaluate the relative performance of these two approaches in terms of factor pattern recovery under different experimental conditions of sample size, overdetermination, and communality.The results show that principal component analysis performs better in factor recovery with small sample sizes (below 200). It was further shown that this tendency is more prominent when there are a small number of variables per factor. The present results are of practical use for factor analysts in the field of marketing and the social sciences.

The Socioemotional Well-Being Index (SEWBI): Theoretical Framework and Empirical Operationalisation

This article presents the design, process of construction, content and validation of the Socioemotional Well-Being Index. This index is a composite indicator of subjective well-being, and has been designed with the aim of providing a measurement device for the sociological analysis of the subjective components of quality of life and social quality. Two spheres of knowledge have been combined in its construction: research in social indicators, the recent development of which has been oriented toward the elaboration of composite indicators, and the theoretical content developed in recent decades by the sociology of emotions. As a composite indicator, the index presented in this article offers a hierarchical and multidimensional alternative to the univariate scales measuring happiness and satisfaction most often used in social research. In addition, in comparison to measures of subjective well-being grounded in cognitive evaluations, this index is based on the evaluation of a series of emotional states recently experienced by individuals. The conceptual definition of socioemotional well-being is based on Thomas Kemper’s social interactional theory of emotions and Randall Collins’ theory of interaction ritual chains. A “4 factor, 10 variable” solution has been obtained by applying common factor analysis to the data of the European Social Survey, 2006.