What is structural equation modeling?
In simple terms, structural equation modeling (SEM) is a statistical modeling
technique that visually demonstrates in a diagram the multiple ways in which
factors (e.g. characteristics of a person or states of health) relate to one another.
These “paths” then give clues for why a person may have increased or
decreased risk of disease or death.
For example, the SEM model shown below illustrates the relationship between
visual impairment (VI), self-rated health, and disability, and how these ultimately
may affect mortality (death) risk. More specifically, the model implies that
although visual impairment may directly cause death, it perhaps leads to death
through its effects on self-rated health and disability.
Self-rated
Health
Severe
VI
Mortality
Some
VI
Disability
Bed
Days
Reduced
Activity
Days