In order to estimate the DTSA models in a latent variable framework, the raw data were prepared as outlined by Muthen & Masyn (2005). Since there was considerable age heterogeneity at each measurement wave, we modeled the hazard/survival curves as a function of age rather than of measurement occasion. A total of 37 binary time-specific event indicators were constructed to reflect yearly intervals between the youngest proband age at baseline interview (20 years) to the oldest proband age at the most recent interview (55 years) for this subsample (note that those probands aged 18–19 at baseline had not yet been interviewed at the current T25 assessment). For reasons of model parsimony and interpretation, these yearly intervals were then collapsed into five-year intervals resulting in seven age categories (referred to as w1–w7): 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–55 years (this also helped ensure convergence during model estimation). The proband was considered to have experienced the event of interest (AUD occurrence) at the earliest age they met criteria for AUD, designated by a “1” score on the binary time-specific event indicator
