Using structural equation modeling to examine consumption of pornographic materials in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong

In human developmental research, researchers always look at the effects of predictors on criterion variables, such as the influence of family on adolescent developmental outcomes. In more complex models, intervening variables such as mediators and moderators are also intrinsic to the predictive relationships. Although such relationships can be examined by traditional multiple regression analyses using ordinary least square approach, there are many limitations associated with such analyses. Alternatively, structural equation modeling represents a more powerful approach that can enable researchers to look at the relationships amongst three or more predictors, intervening and criterion variables. In this chapter, the influence of perceived family functioning (predictor variable) on adolescent consumption of pornographic materials (criterion variable) via positive youth development (intervening variable) was examined via LISREL in a study conducted in the context of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong.