Stationary state space models for longitudinal data

The authors consider a class of state space models for the analysis of non‐normal longitudinal data whose latent process follows a stationary AR(1) model with exponential dispersion model margins. They propose to estimate parameters through an estimating equation approach based on the Kalman smoother. This allows them to carry out a straightforward analysis of a wide range of non‐normal data. They illustrate their approach via a simulation study and through analyses of Brazilian precipitation and US polio infection data.