growth curve models (cf. Muthén and Curran 1997). The nested model constrained a single parameter (e.g., path coefficient) to be equal for African American and European American girls. We used a χ2 difference test to compare the nested model with the base model that assumed the parameter to be unequal across race. If the constraint did not result in a significantly worse fit over the base model, the parameter was assumed to be equal for both races.
