Work

Modelling correlation matrices in multivariate data, with application to reciprocity and complementarity of child-parent exchanges of support

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We define a model for the joint distribution of multiple continuous latent variables, which includes a model for how their correlations depend on explanatory variables. This is motivated by and applied to social scientific research questions in the analysis of intergenerational help and support within families, where the correlations describe reciprocity of help between generations and complementarity of different kinds of help. We propose an MCMC procedure for estimating the model which maintains the positive definiteness of the implied correlation matrices and describe theoretical results which justify this approach and facilitate efficient implementation of it. The model is applied to data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study to analyse ex- changes of practical and financial support between adult individuals and their noncoresident parents.

Source: The Annals of Applied Statistics

DOI: 10.1214/24-aoas1921

Authors: Siliang Zhang, Jouni Kuha, Fiona Steele

Institutions: East China Normal University, London School of Economics and Political Science

Language: English

Topic: Statistical Methods and Bayesian Inference

Subfield: Statistics and Probability

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Economic and Social Research Council

Award: G3800011469