Analyzing multigroup data with structural equation models

In empirical applications of structural equation modeling researchers often assume that the sample under investigation is homogenous unless observed characteristics allow for a division of the sample into mutual exclusive homogenous subgroups. If such information is not available, unobserved heterogeneity can be taken into account by a finite mixture approach (Arminger et al. (1998); Jedidi et al. (1997)). The simulation study presented in this paper reveals that this approach clearly out performs a sequential procedure combining cluster and multigroup analysis.