Transparent and complete reporting of confounding in observational research

Abstract

Abstract Improved understanding of causal risk factors for child and adolescent mental health problems are dependent on observational research. Although confounding is a major limitation of observational research, this problem is widely ignored in the reporting and dissemination of findings from observational studies in psychiatric journals. There is clearly a need for improved reporting of confounding and more careful interpretation of observational research in psychiatry.

Keywords

• confounding
• observational research
• reporting guidelines
• risk factors