Bayesian Nonlinear Latent variable Models with Mixed Non-normal Variables and Covariates for Multi-sample Psychological Data

The purpose of this paper is to develop a latent variable model with nonlinear covariates and latent variables. Mixed ordered categorical and dichotomous variables and covariates with two different types of thresholds (with equal and unequal spaces) are used in Bayesian multi-sample nonlinear latent variable models and the Gibbs sampling method is applied for estimation and model comparison. Hidden continuous normal distribution (censored normal distribution) and (truncated normal distribution with known parameters) are used to handle the problem of mixed ordered categorical and dichotomous data. Hidden continuous normal distribution (truncated normal distribution with known parameters) is used to handle the problem of mixed ordered categorical and dichotomous data in covariates. Statistical analysis, which involves the estimation of parameters, standard deviations and their highest posterior density, are discussed. The proposed procedure is illustrated using psychological data with the results obtained from the OpenBUGS program.