3. Kimmo Sorjonen and colleagues used SEM to estimate the relative effects of intelligence, family of origin SES, and emotional capacity (at the time of their conscription into the military) on...

3. Kimmo Sorjonen and colleagues used SEM to estimate the relative effects of intelligence, family of origin SES, and emotional capacity (at the time of their conscription into the military) on Swedish men’s occupational status at ages approximately 35-40 (Sorjonen, Hemmingsson, Lundin, Falkstedt, & Melin, 2012). The authors were interested in the relative effects of these variables as well as the extent to which their effects were mediated by educational attainment. Figure 17.14 shows the authors’ model

(minus one correlated error). A dataset of 1000 cases, simulated to give similar findings to the article, are on the website in the file “Sorjonen et al simulated 7.sav” (the actual research had an
N
of over 48,000). Note that while the simulated data are designed to mimic the means and variances of the original data, I have not been strict in the scaling; thus there are items that have (impossible) negative values. A brief explanation of the variables in the analysis are shown in Table 17.4. Estimate the model shown. Create a table of direct, indirect, and total effects on the final outcome (Attained Occupation). Which variables are the most important influences on these men’s eventual occupations? Which variables are less important? Interpret your findings. Is there anything unusual about this model?

Figure 17.14
Model for the Sorjonen and colleagues (2012) exercise.

1.