Within the preferred constrained model, mean differences in the multi-substance factor entirely capture the differences in individual substance criteria endorsement between groups. The mean multi-substance latent trait level was −0.57 for MTFS females, 0.00 for MTFS males (fixed within the model as the reference group), 0.51 for SAGE females, and 1.30 for SAGE males. These mean differences in the multi-substance factor mirror group differences in criteria endorsement rates (which were consistent across substances, see Table 1). The standardized loadings of all three substance-specific factors on the multi-substance factor were high (ranging from 0.72 to 0.89), indicating that the multi-substance factor accounts for a majority of the variance in ever use and dependence symptom endorsement rates.
