Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with LISREL – Version May 2009

Dipl.-Psych. Christina Werner and Prof. Dr. Karin Schermelleh-Engel – Goethe University, Frankfurt

LISREL Syntax:
Structure and Basic Commands

1 LISREL Syntax Structure for a Confirmatory Factor Analysis

This model correspondes to the path diagram on “Variables and Parameters in LISREL”, page 1.
The section numbering refers to explanations given on the following pages. (The missing numbers
refer to sections not necessary for this confirmatory factor analysis. They will appear in complete
structural equation models later.)

! Example syntax for a confirmatory factor analysis with LISREL 1. Title

DA NI=4 NO=200 MA=CM 2.
CM SY 3.
1.024 4.
.792 1.077 Description
1.027 .919 1.844 of data
.756 .697 1.244 1.286
LA 5.
x1 x2 x3 x4
MO NX=4 NK=2 LX=FU,FI PH=SY,FR TD=DI,FR 6.

LK 7. Description
ksi1 ksi2 of model
FR LX(2,1) LX(4,2) 9.
VA 1 LX(1,1) LX(3,2) 11.
PATH DIAGRAM 13. Description
OU ME=ML ND=3 SC RS MI 14. of output

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 Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with LISREL – Version May 2009
Dipl.-Psych. Christina Werner and Prof. Dr. Karin Schermelleh-Engel – Goethe University, Frankfurt

2 LISREL Syntax Structure for a Complete Structural Equation

Model
This model corresponds to the path diagram in “Variables and Parameters in LISREL”, page 3.
The section numbering refers to explanations given on the following pages.

! LISREL syntax example for a complete structural equation model 1. Title

DA NI=9 NO=200 MA=CM 2.
CM SY 3.
1.024 4.
.792 1.077
1.027 .919 1.844
Description
.756 .697 1.244 1.286
of data
.567 .537 .876 .632 .852
.445 .424 .677 .526 .518 .670
.434 .389 .635 .498 .475 .545 .716
.580 .564 .893 .716 .546 .422 .373 .851
.491 .499 .888 .646 .508 .389 .339 .629 .871
LA 5.
x1 x2 x3 x4 x5 y1 y2 y3 y4
SE
y1 y2 y3 y4 x1 x2 x3 x4 /

MO NX=4 NK=2 NY=4 NE=2 LX=FU,FI LY=FU,FI BE=FU,FI GA=FU,FR C 6.

PH=SY,FR PS=DI,FR TD=DI,FR TE=DI,FR

LK 7.
ksi1 ksi2
LE 8. Description
eta1 eta2 of model
FR LX(2,1) LX(4,2) 9.
FR LY(2,1) LY(4,2)
FR BE(2,1)

FI GA(2,1) 10.
VA 1 LX(1,1) LX(3,2) LY(1,1) LY(3,2) 11.
EQ TD(3,3) TD(4,4) 12.
PATH DIAGRAM 12. Description
OU ME=ML ND=3 SC RS XM 13. of output

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 Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with LISREL – Version May 2009
Dipl.-Psych. Christina Werner and Prof. Dr. Karin Schermelleh-Engel – Goethe University, Frankfurt

3 Explanation of Syntax Sections

It is advisable to adhere to the sequence of commands below. Changing the sequence may not
always be possible for logical reasons.

1. Title
The first line of a LISREL syntax file may be used for an optional title, which then will
appear on every page of output. To be on the safe side, this line may be started with an
exclamation mark (indicating a comment; see below at “comments”).

2. Data definition

• DA (Data) starts this line. Thereafter follows:

• NI (Number of input variables) – number of manifest variables
• NO (Number of objects) – sample size
• MA (Matrix to be analyzed) – this usually is
◦ MA=CM (Covariance matrix) for a covariance matrix or
◦ MA=KM (Correlation matrix) for a correlation matrix
Note: The matrix to be analyzed does not have to be identical with the input data
matrix (see number 3, definition of data matrix). If desired, LISREL can internally
compute and analyze a correlation matrix even if the input data matrix contains
covariances. It can also compute and analyze covariances when a correlation matrix
is given as input (and additionally, the standard deviations of the indicator variables).

3. Definition of data matrix

There are three possibilities:

• CM for a covariance matrix or

• KM for a correlation matrix or
• RA for raw data

Usually, LISREL expects covariance/correlation matrices or raw data in “free” format, i. e.

values are separated by spaces or commas. For decimal values, a dot has to be used as
decimal separator (not the German comma).
Covariances, correlations or raw data may be listed within the syntax file itself, or in a
separate file. A separate file can be read in using the command FI=file_name, e. g.:
RA FI=example.dat.
Covariance and correlation matrices are symmetric by definition. Therefore, they may be
entered as complete rectangular matrices, or as triangular matrices:

• SY (symmetric) for a lower triangular matrix, i. e. all entries on the diagonal and
below the diagonal, or
• FU (full) for a complete rectangular covariance/correlation matrix

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 Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with LISREL – Version May 2009
Dipl.-Psych. Christina Werner and Prof. Dr. Karin Schermelleh-Engel – Goethe University, Frankfurt

4. Data matrix
If covariances/correlations or raw data are listed within the syntax file itself, they should
appear next. By default, LISREL assumes the y-variables first, followed by the x-variables.

5. Labels for manifest variables

For clarity of output, manifest variables should be given appropriate labels. Labels may
use up to 8 letters or digits (longer labels will be truncated). Blank spaces are possible,
but labels containing spaces must be enclosed in quotes ’ ’ like this:
’TEST A’
It may be easier to use underscores instead:
TEST_A
The LA command has to appear on an otherwise blank line. The labels themselves follow on
the next line. Labels must appear in the same sequence as the variables they are referring
to are listed in the covariance/correlation matrix or raw data.
Note: Selecting variables and changing their order
If not all variables that are part of the data matrix should be included in the model, or
if y- and x-variables are not listed in the required sequence (y-variables first), they can
be selected and reordered. After the variables have been given labels, use the SE (select)
command to reorder them. The command SE appears on an otherwise blank line. The
following line then contains the labels of the variables of interest in the desired order.
If not all variables are included, the line must be terminated with a forward slash /, e. g.:
LA
x1 x2 x3 x4 x5 y1 y2 y3 y4
SE
y1 y2 y3 y4 x1 x2 x3 x4 /

6. Model specification

• MO (model) starts the model specification line.

• Next, the numbers of latent and manifest variables are given:
◦ NX (number of x indicator variables)
◦ NY (number of y indicator variables)
◦ NK (number of ksi-variables, i. e. latent exogenous variables ξ)
◦ NE (number of eta-variables, i. e. latent endogenous variables η)

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 Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with LISREL – Version May 2009
Dipl.-Psych. Christina Werner and Prof. Dr. Karin Schermelleh-Engel – Goethe University, Frankfurt

• The different variables included in the model determine which parameter matrices
have to be specified:
◦ LX (Lambda-x) matrix Λx : path coefficients between latent ξ-variables and mani-
fest x-variables
◦ LY (Lambda-y) matrix Λy : path coefficients between latent η-variables and mani-
fest y-variables
◦ GA (Gamma) matrix Γ: path coefficients between ξ-variables and η-variables in
the structural model
◦ BE (Beta) matrix B: path coefficients between different η-variables in the struc-
tural model
◦ PH (Phi) matrix Φ: variances/covariances of the ξ-variables
◦ PS (Psi) matrix Ψ: variances/covariances of the residual variables ζ in the struc-
tural model
◦ TD (Theta-delta) matrix Θδ : variances/covariances of the measurement error
variables δ
◦ TE (Theta-epsilon) matrix Θ : variances/covariances of the measurement error
variables 
• Most often, these matrices will be specified in one of the following ways:
◦ FU,FI (full, fixed) All parameters in the respective matrix are fixed to zero
(possible starting point, particularly for LX, LY, GA, BE; parameters needed in the
model can be set free individually later on, see number 9).
◦ FU,FR (full, free) All parameters in the respective matrix are to be estimated
(alternative starting point, particularly for LX, LY, GA; parameters not needed in
the model can be fixed to zero individually later on, see number 10).
◦ SY,FR (symmetric, free) The matrix is symmetric, all parameters are to be esti-
mated under this condition
(usual starting point for PH in case of correlated ξ-variables).
◦ DI,FR (diagonal, free) Only the matrix’ diagonal parameters are to be estimated,
all off-diagonal parameters are fixed to zero
(usual starting point for the error/residual covariance matrices TD, TE, PS and for
PH in case of uncorrelated ξ-variables).

Variables and parameter matrices that are not part of the model can be omitted.

7. Labels for ksi-variables

The latent exogenous variables can be given labels to clarify their meanings. The LK
command is given on an otherwise blank line. The labels themselves follow on the next
line. The meaning of a ξ-variable is determined by the manifest indicator variables that
are assigned to it in the factor loading matrix Λx . The order of the labels has to match
these assignments.

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 Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with LISREL – Version May 2009
Dipl.-Psych. Christina Werner and Prof. Dr. Karin Schermelleh-Engel – Goethe University, Frankfurt

8. Labels for eta-variables

The latent endogenous variables can be given labels to clarify their meanings. The LE
command is given on an otherwise blank line. The labels themselves follow on the next
line. The meaning of an η-variable is determined by the manifest indicator variables that
are assigned to it in the factor loading matrix Λy . The order of the labels has to match
these assignments.

9. Freeing certain parameters

If an entire parameter matrix has been specified as fixed to zero (on the MO line), certain
parameters in this matrix may subsequently be freed (to be estimated) using an additional
FR command followed by a list of the respective parameters.

10. Fixing certain parameters to zero

If an entire parameter matrix is specified as free (on the MO line), certain parameters in
this matrix may subsequently be fixed to zero (excluded from the estimation) using an
additional FI command followed by a list of the respective parameters.

11. Assigning specific values

Parameters that have been fixed to zero (either within a matrix that has been specified as
fixed, or by a separate command) can subsequently be assigned specific values (different
from zero) using the VA command. Usually, this will be VA 1 to assign a value of one,
but other values are possible as well. The following example assigns a value of one to the
(previously fixed) parameter LX(3,2) = λx32 :
VA 1 LX(3,2)
This is mostly used to assign scales for latent variables. For this purpose, one factor
loading for each latent variable can be fixed to 1 in LX and/or LY, respectively (this equates
the latent variable’s variance with the true variance of the respective indicator variable).
Alternatively, the variance of a latent variable can be fixed to 1 directly (e. g., to standardize
ξ-variables)

12. Equality constraints for certain parameters

If certain parameters are assumed to be equal, this can be postulated by equality con-
straints EQ. The line
EQ TE(3,3) TE(4,4)
 and θ  to be equal. Such assumptions may
requires the estimates for the error variances θ33 44
be founded on theory (in the case of parallel tests, e. g., factor loadings and error variances
may be assumed to be equal), but may also serve as makeshift “solutions” when encoun-
tering certain estimation/identification problems (setting parameters equal decreases the
number of individually estimated parameters and therefore increases the model’s degrees
of freedom).

13. Path diagram

If the command PATH DIAGRAM (or simply PD) is given, LISREL generates a graphical
representation of the analyzed structural equation model. A pull-down menu in the path
diagram viewer allows to switch between the display of unstandardized or standardized
parameter estimates, standard errors, t-values, etc.

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 Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with LISREL – Version May 2009
Dipl.-Psych. Christina Werner and Prof. Dr. Karin Schermelleh-Engel – Goethe University, Frankfurt

14. Output specification

• OU (Output) starts this line. Thereafter follows:

• ME (Method of estimation) specifies the method to be used for parameter estimation.
This frequently will be
◦ ME=ML (Maximum Likelihood estimation)
• ND (Number of decimals) for text output
• SC (Completely standardized solution) – standardized values for all estimated para-
meters (both latent and manifest variables are standardized)
• RS (Residuals) – diagnostic statistics for residuals (including standardized residuals
and Q-plot)
• MI (Modification indices) – these may be used as hints for exploratory model modifi-
cation

General notes
• Comments
Syntax files may contain user comments. This is especially useful and advisable for com-
plex models, model modifications, and multi-sample analysis. LISREL treats everything
following an exclamation mark ! as a comment. A line starting with an exclamation mark
will be completely ignored by LISREL:
! Add your comments here...
However, commands may also be followed by an exclamation mark and further comments
on the same line. For model modification or testing purposes, this allows to easily “com-
ment out” certain commands and disable them without having to delete and retype them.
In the following example, the parameters GA(1,1) = γ11 and BE(2,1) = β21 will be esti-
mated (“free”), but not GA(2,1) = γ21 :
FR GA(1,1) BE(2,1) ! GA(2,1)

• Blank lines
LISREL ignores blank lines, so they can be used to structure syntax files.

• Line length
LISREL reads lines up to 127 characters. Overly long lines should be terminated with a
blank space followed by the letter C (continue). They can then be continued on the next
line. This may often be necessary for the model specification line, e. g.:
MO NX=5 NY=4 NK=2 NE=2 LX=FU,FI LY=FU,FI GA=FU,FI BE=FU,FI PH=SY,FR C
PS=DI,FR TD=DI,FR TE=DI,FR
This notation does not work for all commands, e. g. it is not possible to use it for labels.

• Uppercase/lowercase
LISREL is case insensitive. Depending on the font, uppercase letters may be preferable to
avoid confusing letters with numbers.