Statistical Methods for the meta-analysis paper by Itzhaky et al

TL;DR

This paper discusses and mathematically derives statistical methods used in a meta-analysis of clinical trials aimed at reducing suicidal behavior in adolescents, highlighting challenges in analyzing behavioral meta-data.

Contribution

It provides an informal overview and detailed mathematical derivations of statistical methods specifically for meta-analyzing behavioral intervention trials in youth.

Findings

Addresses challenges in analyzing behavioral meta-data

Provides detailed derivations of statistical formulas

Clarifies methods used in meta-analysis of suicide prevention trials

Abstract

This document describes the statistical methods used in Itzhaky et al ("Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Twenty-six Years of Randomized Clinical Trials of Psychosocial Interventions to Reduce Suicide Risk in Adolescents"). That paper is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials testing methods for preventing suicidal behavior and/or ideation in youth. Particularly on the behavior side the meta-data are challenging to analyze. This paper has two parts. The first is an informal discussion of the statistical methods used. The second gives detailed mathematical derivations of some formulas and methods.