R Package:
lcca package

This R package was developed by the Methodology Center to allow R users to perform latent class causal analysis (LCCA), latent class analysis (LCA), and LCA with covariates. LCA describes relationships among a set of categorical variables by assuming that they are conditionally independent given an unobserved categorical variable. The lcca.r package uses imputing estimating equations to estimate the average causal effects of a latent exposure (i.e., latent class) on a normally-distributed outcome variable. LCCA combines aspects of latent class analysis with Rubin’s causal model (Rubin, 1974; 2005).

The LCCA package includes 3 primary functions:

• lca: Fit a conventional LCA model
• lcacov: Fit an LCA model with covariates
• lcca: Fit an LCCA model

Schafer, J. L., & Kang, J. (2013). LCCA package for R users’ guide (Version 1.1.0). University Park: The Methodology Center, Penn State.

1. Download the zip file from this webpage.
2. Launch R.
3. In R, under the “Packages” menu, select “Install pacakge(s) from local Zip files…”
4. Select the downloaded zip file.
5. If installation is succesful, the R Console will display the message “package ‘lcca’ successfully unpacked and MD5 sums checked.”

X = vector of measured confounders

C = latent class variable

Y(C) = vector of potential distal outcomes

U1…Uj = observed items from the data set