Mediation models are commonly used to identify the mechanisms through which one variable influences another. Among longitudinal mediation methods, latent difference score mediation stands out due to its unique ability to capture nonlinear change over time. However, there is limited information regarding sample size demands to achieve adequate power with this method, resulting in few applications of latent difference score mediation. To address this limitation, the current study presents empirically supported sample size guidelines for 10 common latent difference score mediation structural models and 9 unique population models. The results of this study offer researchers with a set of representative sample estimates that may be used when designing studies or seeking funding.

中文翻译：

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使用潜在差异分数调解的经验样本量指南

中介模型通常用于确定一个变量影响另一个变量的机制。在纵向中介方法中，潜在差异评分中介因其独特的捕捉非线性随时间变化的能力而脱颖而出。然而，关于使用这种方法获得足够功效的样本量需求的信息有限，导致潜在差异评分调解的应用很少。为了解决这个限制，当前的研究为 10 个常见的潜在差异评分中介结构模型和 9 个独特的总体模型提供了经验支持的样本量指南。这项研究的结果为研究人员提供了一组具有代表性的样本估计值，可用于设计研究或寻求资助。