To further explore sex differences, separate SEMs (including measurement models) were evaluated for females and males, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The SEM for females in Figure 2 explained 33% of the variance and the model for males in Figure 3 explained 24%. As shown in the figure legends, RMSEA was a bit lower for females (indicating a better fit), but the other fit characteristics were similar across the sexes. However, only the model for females demonstrated significant mediation of LR through EXPECT and COPE to ALCOUT (0.109, 2.102), and LR through EXPECT to COPE (0.093, 1.060). For males (Figure 3), LR was only directly linked to ALCOUT, without evidence of potential mediation. Both females and males showed mediation of PEER through EXPECT through COPE to ALCOUT (0.123, 2.161 and 0.316, 1.768, respectively).
