Does group-based trajectory modeling estimate spurious trajectories?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) is increasingly used to identify subgroups of individuals with similar patterns. In this paper, we use simulated and real-life data to illustrate that GBTM is susceptible to generating spurious findings in some circumstances.

Methods

Six plausible scenarios, two of which mimicked published analyses, were simulated. Models with 1 to 10 trajectory subgroups were estimated and the model that minimized the Bayes criterion was selected. For each scenario, we assessed whether the method identified the correct number of trajectories, the correct shapes of the trajectories, and the mean number of participants of each trajectory subgroup. The performance of the average posterior probabilities, relative entropy and mismatch criteria t

SUBMITTER: Mesidor M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9281109 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature