Multiplicity Control for Structural Equation Modeling in lavaan
A Practical Workflow for False Discovery Rate Adjustment
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20650085 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Giuseppe Corbelli (0000-0002-2864-3548, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 00131644261442141-00131644261442141 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-28 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Educational and Psychological Measurement (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0013-1644 • E-ISSN: 1552-3888 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/00131644261442141 |
| PMID | 42064557 |
| OpenAlex | W7156893976 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 22 |
Structural equation modeling (SEM) is widely used in educational and behavioral research, but applied SEM often involves simultaneous tests of many structural paths. When many coefficients are evaluated at nominal thresholds, the probability of false positives and the expected number of false discoveries can be substantial even when global fit indices indicate close fit, encouraging substantive interpretation of chance findings. Building on prior work on multiplicity control in SEM, this article presents a practical workflow for false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment of families of SEM parameter tests obtained from fitted lavaan model objects, including the dependence-robust Benjamini-Yekutieli (BY) procedure, and provides an R implementation to support routine use. In a Monte Carlo study (1,000 replications; N = 500) with nine latent factors, a correctly specified measurement model, and an overspecified structural model with 33 candidate regressions (8 non-zero), nominal p lavaan in R, and may substantially reduce false positives with a modest reduction in detected true effects
False discovery rate · False positive paradox · False positives and false negatives · Monte Carlo method · Multiple comparisons problem · Statistical hypothesis testing · Structural equation modeling · Workflow · Behavioral and Psychological Studies · Mental Health Research Topics · Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
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| Highly cited | No |
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