Comparing typological structures across cultures by multigroup latent class analysis: A primer

Abstract

The advantages of latent class analysis for cross-cultural research in psychology are discussed. The basic principles of multigroup latent class analysis are described and illustrated by an empirical study comparing satisfaction-with-life-domain profiles across two nations (China, United States). In particular, it is shown how various assumptions of measurement invariance across cultures can be tested statistically in the latent class framework.