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Cited by 2,119Psychometric Methodologies and TestingCareer Development and DiversityVocational Education and Training

Latent profile analysis: A review and “how to” guide of its application within vocational behavior research

Open access
Spurk, Daniel, Hirschi, Andreas, Wang, Mo, Valero, Domingo, Kauffeld, Simone·2020·Journal of Vocational Behavior
DOI 10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103445
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Abstract

Latent profile analysis (LPA) is a categorical latent variable approach that focuses on identifying latent subpopulations within a population based on a certain set of variables. LPA thus assumes that people can be typed with varying degrees of probabilities into categories that have different configural profiles of personal and/or environmental attributes. Within this article, we (a) review the existing applications of LPA within past vocational behavior research; (b) illustrate best practice procedures in a non-technical way of how to use LPA methodology, with an illustrative example of identifying different latent profiles of heavy work investment (i.e., working compulsively, working excessively, and work engagement); and (c) outline future research possibilities in vocational behavior research. By reviewing 46 studies stemming from central journals of the field, we identified seven distinct topics that have already been investigated by LPA (e.g., job and organizational attitudes and behaviors, work motivation, career-related attitudes and orientations, vocational interests). Together with showing descriptive statistics about how LPA has been conducted in past vocational behavior research, we illustrate and derive best-practice recommendations for future LPA research. The review and “how to” guide can be helpful for all researchers interested in conducting LPA studies.

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  • Approximately 500 cases are required to ensure stable latent profiles.

    “Researchers generally accept that approximately 500 cases are required to ensure stable latent profiles (Spurk et al., 2020).”

    From What is the mindful personality? Implications for physical and psychological health (2022) · cites this paper as Spurk et al., 2020

    Section 4.1.1 (Sample size; page unavailable) describes approximately 500 cases as a reasonable rule of thumb and says that size should provide enough accuracy to identify the correct number of profiles. It does not say 500 cases are required or that they ensure stable profiles. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • An even larger sample size would have been preferable for LPAs, as it could provide more robust findings and support the interpretation of the small profiles.

    “Although this sample size is larger than in most developmental research, an even larger sample size would have been preferable for LPAs, as it could provide more robust findings and support the interpretation of the small profiles (Spurk et al., 2020 ).”

    From Development of metacognitive monitoring and control skills in elementary school: a latent profile approach (2024) · cites this paper as Spurk et al., 2020

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Collins, L. M., & Lanza, S. T. (2013). Latent class and latent transition analysis: With applications in the social, behavioral, and health sciences. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
  2. Finch, W. H., & Bronk, K. C. (2011). Conducting confirmatory latent class analysis using Mplus. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 18, 132-151.

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Authors
Spurk, D., Hirschi, A., Wang, M., Valero, D., & Kauffeld, S.
Affiliations
  • University of Bern (CH)
  • University of Florida (US)
  • Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (CH)
  • Technische Universität Braunschweig (DE)
Corresponding author
Spurk, Daniel
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Vocational Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-08
Volume
120
Pages
103445
ISSN
0001-8791 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103445
OpenAlex
W3031052835
Cited by
2,119
References
136
Citations by year
2026: 684 · 2025: 503 · 2024: 404 · 2023: 296 · 2022: 166 · 2021: 60 · 2020: 5
FWCI
83.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Vocational Behavior (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Bern Open Repository and Information System (University of Bern) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Deakin Research Online (Deakin University) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Open Access CRIS of the University of Bern
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Career Development and Diversity
  • Social Sciences › Education › Vocational Education and Training
Keywords
latent profile analysis, vocational behavior, heavy work investment, compulsive work, overwork, work engagement, employee motivation, employee attitudes, organizational attitudes, career interest, best practices

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