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[R-meta] Meta-analysis on positive and negative outcomes: Is it correct to take the reversed r values?

Dear Gladys,

Yes, you can flip the sign. In essence, this is what would happen if a study where Y reflects depression had reverse-scored their depression measure (such that higher values reflect *less* depression).

Whether the association between X and 'positive' measures of mental health is the same as the association between X and 'negative' measures of mental health (after flipping the sign of the latter) is a different issue. With enough studies, one could code a moderator variable to indicate whether Y was originally a positive or negative measure and examine whether the association between X and Y differs across these two groups.

Best,
Wolfgang