Mplus Users Guide v6.. - Muthén & Muthén

Special Modeling Issuesfree regression coefficients are unequal in all groups unless theyinvolve the regression of an observed dependent variable that is usedas a factor indicator on a continuous latent variable. In this case,they are free and equal across groups. In multiple class analysis,free regression coefficients are equal across classes.PARAMETER DEFAULT STARTING VALUESIf a parameter is not free by default, when the parameter is mentioned inthe MODEL command, it is free at the default starting value unlessanother starting value is specified using the asterisk (*) followed by anumber or the parameter is fixed using the @ symbol followed by anumber. The exception to this is that variances and residual variancesfor latent response variables corresponding to categorical observeddependent variables cannot be free in the Delta parameterization. Theycan be free in the Theta parameterization. In the Theta parameterization,scale factors for latent response variables corresponding to categoricalobserved dependent variables cannot be free. They can be free in theDelta parameterization.GENERAL DEFAULTSFollowing are the default starting values:Means/intercepts of continuous and0 or sample meancensored observed variablesdepending on theanalysisMeans/intercepts of count observed variables 0Thresholds of categorical observed variables 0 or determined by thesample proportionsdepending on theanalysisVariances/residual variances of.05 or 1 depending oncontinuous latent variablesthe analysisVariances/residual variances of.5 of the samplecontinuous and censored observed variables varianceVariances/residual variances of 1latent response variables for categoricalobserved variablesScale factors 1411