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In this paper, the extended Rasch model for dichotomously scored items is derived from the general multivariate Bernoulli distribution. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the multivariate Bernoulli distribution to be equal to the extended Rasch model provide a new loglinear representation of the extended Rasch model. Conditions are also given under which the extended Rasch model is equal to the random effects Rasch model, and it is shown under what conditions the extended Rasch model is equal to a random effects Rasch model in which the underlying variable has a normal distribution. In addition, alternative models for the construction of likelihood ratio tests are proposed. One of these alternative models is Haberman's extended interaction model. Furthermore, it is shown how both the SPSS and SAS programs can be used to estimate and test loglinear representations of extended Rasch models.

This article shows that the mean and covariance structure of the predetermined autoregressive latent trajectory (ALT) model are very flexible. As a result, the shape of the modeled growth curve can be quite different from what one might expect at first glance. This is illustrated with several numerical examples that show that, for example, a linear trajectory might be present among the model predicted scores even though no latent change parameter was included in the model. In addition, 2 examples are given that show that the predetermined ALT model can fit to data generated by models with model structures that are rather different from that of the ALT model itself. The practical relevance of these findings is demonstrated using an empirical example. We end by providing recommendations for researchers considering the use of the predetermined ALT model.

Adult attachment dimensions as well as the personality trait neuroticism have been shown to be related to psychological adjustment after bereavement. No investigations so far have studied the relative contribution of these constructs to grief and depression. In our study of 219 bereaved parents, the two adult attachment dimensions, attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance, were compared to the personality trait neuroticism in predicting psychological adjustment. The attachment dimensions explained a unique part over and above neuroticism, but contrary to expectations, neuroticism explained more variance than attachment dimensions. Implications are discussed.

In this paper, the extended Rasch model for dichotomously scored items is derived from the general multivariate Bernoulli distribution. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the multivariate Bernoulli distribution to be equal to the extended Rasch model provide a new loglinear representation of the extended Rasch model. Conditions are also given under which the extended Rasch model is equal to the random effects Rasch model, and it is shown under what conditions the extended Rasch model is equal to a random effects Rasch model in which the underlying variable has a normal distribution. In addition, alternative models for the construction of likelihood ratio tests are proposed. One of these alternative models is Haberman's extended interaction model. Furthermore, it is shown how both the SPSS and SAS programs can be used to estimate and test loglinear representations of extended Rasch models.

Gottman and colleagues proposed using a dynamical systems model to study dyadic interaction in marriage. In this model, each spouse's affect in each 6-s window is described as a function of an uninfluenced linear steady state and a nonlinear influence function of the partner's affect in the previous window. Recently, an alternative parameter estimation procedure for the equations of marriage was introduced, which is based on threshold autoregressive models. We apply this estimation procedure to data from a study of couples (N = 124) and newlyweds (N = 130) to compare different forms of spousal influence using the Bayesian information criterion. Although results show some statistically significant evidence for influence, this is only slightly greater than what would be expected by random association. One model of influence does not fit all couples. This suggests that for many people initial state and emotional inertia dictate the outcome of the conflict discussion far more than the moment-to-moment affect of the spouse. This latter finding is in conflict with most models of couples' interaction, which suggest that the outcome of conflict discussions are determined by the nature of the couples' mutual influence processes.

Null hypothesis testing (NHT) is the most commonly used tool in empirical psychological research even though it has several known limitations. It is argued that since the hypotheses evaluated with NHT do not reflect the research-question or theory of the researchers, conclusions from NHT must be formulated with great modesty, that is, they cannot be stated in a confirmative way. Since confirmation or theory evaluation is, however, what researchers often aim for, we present an alternative approach that is based on the specification of explicit, informative statistical hypotheses. The statistical approach for the evaluation of these hypotheses is a Bayesian model-selection procedure. A non-technical explanation of the Bayesian approach is provided and it will be shown that results obtained with this method give more direct answers to the questions asked and are easier to interpret. An additional advantage of the offered possibility to formulate and evaluate informative hypotheses is that it stimulates researchers to more carefully think through and specify their expectations. © International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development 2011.

Adult attachment dimensions as well as the personality trait neuroticism have been shown to be related to psychological adjustment after bereavement. No investigations so far have studied the relative contribution of these constructs to grief and depression. In our study of 219 bereaved parents, the two adult attachment dimensions, attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance, were compared to the personality trait neuroticism in predicting psychological adjustment. The attachment dimensions explained a unique part over and above neuroticism, but contrary to expectations, neuroticism explained more variance than attachment dimensions. Implications are discussed.