Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions to Reduce Suicide Behavior: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

A systematic review & meta-analysis were carried out to investigate whether cognitive-behavioural therapies would reduce suicide behaviour. From 123 potential articles, 28 met entry criteria. Overall, there was a highly significant effect for these therapies in reducing suicide behviour. Subgroup analysis indicates a signficant treatment effect for adult samples, for individual treatment, & for cognitive-behavioural therapy when compared to minimal treatment or treatment as usual (but not when compared to another active treatment). Although these results appear optimistic, the authors suggest evidence of a publication bias tempers such optimism. (73 refs.)