Delwin B. Carter

PhD Candidate in Quantitative Research Methods
Department of Education
University of California, Santa Barbara

Project Supervisor of the Longitudinal Mixture Modeling Research Laboratory (LMMRL)

Delwin Carter is a Doctoral Candidate in Quantitative Research Methods in the Department of Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara Emphasizing in Finite Mixture Modeling.

Featured Article

Ten Frequently Asked Questions About Latent Transition Analysis

Latent transition analysis (LTA), also referred to as latent Markov modeling, is an extension of latent class/profile analysis (LCA/LPA) used to model the interrelations of multiple latent class variables. LTA methods have become increasingly accessible and in-turn are being utilized in applied research. The current article provides an introduction to LTA by answering 10 questions commonly asked by applied researchers. Topics discussed include: (1) an overview of LTA; (2) a comparison of LTA to other longitudinal models; (3) software used to run LTA; (4) sample size suggestions; (5) modeling steps in LTA; (6) measurement invariance; (7) the inclusion of auxiliary variables; (8) interpreting results of an LTA; (9) the nature of data (e.g., longitudinal, cross-sectional); and (10) extensions of LTA. An applied example of LTA is included to help understand how to build an LTA and interpret results. Finally, the article suggests future areas of research for LTA. This article provides an overview of LTA, highlighting key decisions researchers need to make to navigate and implement an LTA analysis from start to finish

Selected Publications

Enhancement and Standardization of a Universal Social-Emotional Health Measure for Students’ Psychological Strengths

The current study revised and standardized the updated SEHS-S-2020 to validate further its use in secondary schools (Grades 9–12) with a large, diverse adolescent sample. Data analyses examined structural validity, mea- surement invariance, criterion validity, internal consistency, and response stability. Results supported the SEHS-S-2020 validity across diverse groups of youth in various contexts.

Extending Validation of a Social Emotional Health Measure For Middle School Students

The present study aimed to fill this gap in the literature by examining the SEHS-S-2020′ use for younger adolescents. Data analyses examined structural validity, internal consistency, measurement invariance, criterion validity, predictive validity, and response stability. Results indicate excellent fit indices for a four-level higher-order measurement model, with adequate concurrent and one-year predictive validity coefficients, supporting the use of the SEHS-S-2020 measure with young adolescents in middle school settings.

Parental Support and Psychological Control in Relation to African American College Students' Self-Esteem

The purpose of this study was to examine perceived parental behaviors (i.e., support and psychological control) in relation to African American college students’ self-esteem using a mixed methods approach. Results indicated that (1) perceived support by mothers and fathers was related to higher self-esteem, (2) perceived psychological control by mothers was related to lower self-esteem, and (3) that perceived behaviors by mothers were more influential than fathers. One gender difference emerged in the quantitative analysis; support by fathers was more related to male students’ self-esteem than female students.

Examining the Social Emotional Health Survey-Secondary for Use with Latinx Youth

Culturally responsive assessment practices include validated measures appropriate for use with diverse populations. Considering the increasing population of Latinx students in US schools, measures need co-validated English and Spanish (Social and Emotional Health Survey (SEHS)) language forms. This study examined the SEHS-Secondary with Latino/a students who completed a form in either Spanish or English. The analyses examined the factor structure, measurement invariance, and latent trait factor means of students who completed the SEHS in either Spanish or English. The factor structure was invariant across groups with some latent mean differences observed.

A Randomized Controlled Study on the Effects of a Documentary on Students’ Empathy and Attitudes Towards Older Adults

The aim of the current study was to test whether participants who viewed an original documentary about older adults experiencing physical pain would report lower ageism and higher empathy scores when compared to participants who watched a neutral documentary. The findings of this preliminary study indicate that showing a pain-based, anti- bias documentary feature film has the potential to significantly improve empathy towards older adults in university students.

School Belonging Constellations Considering Complete Mental Health in Primary Schools

This study sought to better understand elementary students’ experiences of school belonging and how they correspond to mental health outcomes. Latent profile analysis revealed the best fit for a three-profile solution: Low School Belonging, Moderate School Belonging, and High School Belonging. The majority of students were classified in the Low and Moderate School Belonging profiles. Demographic covariates indicated that female and Latinx students were more likely to experience high belonging than males and non-Latinx students. Concerning proximal outcomes, students in the High School Belonging profile reported higher psychological strengths and lower psychological distress.

Anonymous Versus Self-Identified Response Formats for School Mental Health Screening

The current study examined whether responses to the Social Emotional Health Survey–Secondary (SEHS-S), a school mental health survey, are comparable when administered using anonymous versus self-identified response formats. The study participants were from one high school and completed the SEHS-S using self-identified (n = 1,700) and anonymous (n = 1,667) formats. Full measurement invariance was found across the two response formats. Both substantial and minimal latent mean differences were detected. Implications for the use and interpretation of the SEHS-S for schoolwide mental health are discussed.

Community Publications

Moral Reconation Therapy Engagement Study: Client and Counselor Perspectives

The purpose of this study is to determine factors related to engagement in Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) at the Probation Report and Resource Centers (PRRC) in Santa Barbara County, with a focus on identifying factors related to treatment attendance and recommendations to address potential barriers to treatment.

Substance Abuse Treatment Court Outcome Evaluation

This report will address the characteristics of participants who entered Substance Abuse Treatment Court (SATC) or Reentry Drug Court (RDC) from October 1, 2016- September 30, 2017. The SATC is operated in North Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria) and South Santa Barbara County (Santa Barbara). The same policies govern the SATC in both areas. On September 7, 2016 approval was granted by the Collaborative Courts Policy Council for a Post Plea SATC program, which was implemented on October 3, 2016.

Public Safety Realignment: October 2011 –December 2017: Santa Barbara County Annual Report

All data presented in this report describe clients who entered Santa Barbara County’s caseload between October 1, 2011 and December 31, 2017. These clients include: (a) state prisoners released at the completion of their sentence to local supervision (Post-Release Community Supervision [PRCS] population); and (b) Non-Violent, Non-Serious, Non- Sex Offense (NX3) clients sentenced under PC§1170(h) to either serve their sentence in County Jail, or to serve a “split” sentence of jail time served in County Jail followed by a period of mandatory post-sentence supervision (PSS) by local Probation.

Public Safety Realignment: October 2011 –December 2016: Santa Barbara County Annual Report

In this report, three measures of Recidivism will be reported: 1. New misdemeanor or felony conviction within three years post release from prison 2. New misdemeanor or felony conviction during the period of supervision 3. New misdemeanor or felony conviction during the period of supervision plus one year In addition to attending to the state definition of recidivism, #2 provides a sense of how clients are doing while on supervision while #3 is carried over from prior years and will be discontinued after this year.