TOPIC

Mental health research

Everything we have read on mental health. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

396 PAPERS · PAGE 2 OF 8 · NEWEST FIRST

• RNRCT2025Exploring Factors Associated with Sleep Quality After Lung Transplantation.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)65 of 88 lung transplant recipients reported poor sleep. Psychological distress was the main factor linked to poor sleep, and wheezing also stood out; daily step count did not differ between sleep groups.
• RNQualitative2026A Qualitative Study Exploring Nursing Scope of Practice for the Care of People Experiencing Homelessness.Journal of advanced nursingPeople experiencing homelessness and nurses said care should be non-judgemental, flexible and culturally safe, with nurses able to assess physical and mental health, manage wounds and medications, and navigate services. These are perceptions, not tested effects.
• RNCohort2025Effects of Sociospatial Inequality on Exposure to Stress, Symptoms of Depression, and Cortisol Rhythms in Pregnancy.Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNNCortisol slope and total output were not linked to sociospatial inequality. Pregnant women in concentrated privilege areas had fewer lifetime stress exposures, and elevated depression symptoms were more likely in concentrated deprivation. Income extremes showed larger cortisol rhythm fluctuations.
• RNCohort2025Impact of Nurse-Led Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Management Program on 1-Year Outcomes in Patients on Hemodialysis Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingPatients on hemodialysis after PCI who received nurse-led risk management had a greater 1-year reduction in cardiovascular risk and fewer major adverse cardiovascular events than usual care. The study was retrospective, so this is not proof the program caused benefit.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026The Effect of Theory-Guided Positive Psychological Interventions for Patients With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of clinical nursingTheory-guided positive psychological interventions improved quality of life in 412 breast cancer patients across five randomised trials, with moderate certainty.
• RNQualitative2025Perspectives of Nurses and Adolescents About Pro Re Nata Treatment in Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Units: A Qualitative Study.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingAdolescents and nurses described PRN medication as a tool for autonomy and dialogue rather than just symptom control. Nurses used PRN requests to gauge distress levels and build trust, while adolescents viewed the transition to PRN as a step toward discharge and self-management.
• RNQualitative2025Digital Health Applications in Access to Health Service From the Perspective of Older Adults: "It Is Difficult to Keep up With the Digital Age …".Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)Nine older adults in Türkiye said digital health apps were either easy or hard, often because steps were confusing, they feared mistakes, or they lacked training. Only three used services alone. Nurses cannot assume older patients can use appointment systems independently.
• RNSystematic Review2025A systematic review of psychosocial screening tools for identification of postpartum mental health status beyond depressive symptoms.MidwiferyPostpartum screening beyond depression, especially anxiety and PTSD tools, can find cases missed by depression screening alone. But most studies did not show that screening led to more treatment or better symptoms, so referral pathways must be ready.
• RNSystematic Review2025Effectiveness of Group Interventions With Socially-Assistive Robots for Older Adults: A Systematic Review.Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of NursingRobot-assisted group sessions often engaged older adults and increased conversation, but cognition, agitation, and depression showed no clear difference from control groups.
• RNRCT2025Efficacy of Family Health Conversations on Mental Health, Family Wellbeing, and Family Functioning for Parents of Infants Requiring Mechanical Respiratory Support During Neonatal Intensive Care.Journal of family nursingFamily Health Conversations did not improve parents’ family functioning more than usual NICU care. Anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms fell over time in both groups, and family wellbeing and functioning stayed stable.
• RNSystematic Review2025The Impact of Coercive Measures on the Therapeutic Relationship Between Patients and Nurses in the Acute Psychiatric Care. An Integrative Review.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingCoercive measures in acute psychiatric care were described by patients and nurses as damaging trust, creating power imbalance and reducing engagement. Nurses also reported moral conflict. Reports of strengthened relationships came only from nurses.
• RNSurvey2026Examining the Association Between Perceived Quality of Care and Experienced Coercion Among Patients in Acute Mental Health Units in Spain: A National Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of clinical nursingPatients who rated care quality lower, especially regarding privacy and safety, reported higher feelings of coercion and humiliation. Improving environmental dignity and clear discharge planning is associated with reduced perceived coercion in acute mental health units.
• RNOther2026Unlocking the Adoption of a Smartphone Application for High-Risk Pregnant Women in the Lao People's Democratic Republic: A Mixed-Methods Study.Journal of advanced nursingHigh-risk pregnant women in Laos reported moderate to high acceptance of a maternity smartphone app, especially if they had a pre-pregnancy condition or better digital health literacy. Anxiety lowered acceptance. It shows readiness, not proof the app improves pregnancy outcomes.
• PTRNSurvey2025Cognitive Frailty and Its Risk Factors Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Receiving Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study.Nursing & health sciences9% of hemodialysis patients had cognitive frailty, meaning physical frailty, cognitive functional decline and depressive symptoms together. Malnutrition risk and physical inactivity were associated with it.
• PTOTRNOther2026A Realist Evaluation of the Implementation and Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Four Value-Based Healthcare Programmes.Journal of advanced nursingHeart Failure nurses used PROMs to triage and plan resources, but patients did not self-manage or share decisions. In Epilepsy, mood scores identified problems without services to act on them.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Adverse Outcomes and Associated Factors Among Children and Youths With Diabetes Mellitus in East Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of advanced nursingChildren and youths with type 1 diabetes in East Africa often had poor glucose control, ketoacidosis at diagnosis, complications, and deaths. No type 2 diabetes studies were found.
• RNRCT2025Mental Health Stressors of the COVID-19 Pandemic Negatively Affect Self-Management of Comorbid Cardiovascular Disease Among Persons Living With HIV in the United States: A Qualitative Study.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACIn 24 adults living with HIV, hypertension and high cholesterol, worry and isolation were common, 14 reported worse mood, and distress was tied to poorer diet, activity and weight, but nearly all kept taking HIV and cardiovascular medicines.
• RNSurvey2025Attitudes, Perceptions and Workplace Factors Predict Well-Being in Forensic Healthcare Workers Caring for Sex Offenders.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingForensic staff caring for sex offenders reported better well-being when they held rational, balanced views of offenders' motivations and worked in safe environments. However, higher trust in offenders predicted lower compassion satisfaction, and relying on co-workers for support was also linked to reduced job satisfaction.
• RNSystematic Review2025Safeguarding Experiences of People in Mental Distress, Police and Healthcare Practitioners: An Integrative Review.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingPeople in mental distress often felt unheard, dismissed or unsafe in police and emergency care. Stigma, delays caused by intoxication and poor transfer of care were recurring problems.
• RNQualitative2025Phenomenological Study on the Lived Experience of Patients After Major Cardiac Surgery in Intensive Care Units.Nursing in critical careICU patients after cardiac surgery feared not waking up, described foggy awakening, endless time, and feeling invisible during conversations. They valued nurses who anticipated needs, but wanted to be included in care decisions.
• RNRCT2025Application of "Internet+"-Based Continuous Nursing to Improve the Nutrition-Health Level of Pediatric Liver Transplant.Nursing & health sciencesAfter 4 weeks, children whose families used an Internet+ continuity care package had fewer malnutrition-risk cases than routine care (8/38 vs 16/38). The package bundled team, WeChat, daily photo checks, videos, emergency contact and calls, so no single part is shown to be responsible.
• RNSystematic Review2025Interventions for Caregivers Caring for a Family Member With Advanced Illness at Home: A Systematic Review.Nursing & health sciencesHome-based support for caregivers of relatives with advanced illness showed mixed short-term benefits. Interventions improved preparedness and reduced burden in some studies, but effects on depression, anxiety, and quality of life were inconsistent or faded over time.
• RNSurvey2025The Association of Sleep Quality With Anorexia in Patients With Heart Failure: Do Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Mediate This Association.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingIn 210 inpatients with heart failure, poorer sleep was linked to more appetite loss. Anxiety and depression were linked to both and may be part of the association. Screen sleep and mood when appetite is poor.
• RNQualitative2025Barriers and Equity in Paid Parental Leave: Insights from Diverse Postpartum Experiences in Connecticut.Journal of midwifery & women's healthPostpartum women said paid leave helped recovery but 12 weeks felt short, benefits were hard to find, and workplace stigma pressured early return. Nurses can discuss leave eligibility and help with applications during prenatal and postpartum care.
• RNSurvey2025Emotional Distress in Patients With Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study.The journal of nursing research : JNREmotional distress was common among cancer inpatients. A short questionnaire helped identify low dignity, demoralization, depression, and suicidal ideation, and may guide nurses on when to escalate care.
• RNRCT2025The Impact of Nurse-Led Peer Support Interventions on Psychological Status and Quality of Life After Acute Myocardial Infarction Stent Implantation in China.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingAfter stent implantation for heart attack, adults receiving 12 weeks of nurse-led peer support plus standard care had less anxiety, depression and stress than standard care alone, with better quality of life and medication adherence.
• RNQualitative2025Insight Into the Role of Protestant Christianity in the Experience of Living With a Suicidal Relative: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingFor Protestant relatives of suicidal patients, faith was a double-edged sword. Believing the loved one would go to heaven brought peace, while fearing hell caused guilt and isolation. Nurses must ask about these specific religious beliefs to support coping effectively.
• SLPRNSurvey2026Experiences and insights from parents of children with temporary feeding tubes.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityParents of children with temporary nasogastric feeding tubes found insertion distressing and home management hard, especially after discharge. They valued clear information and involvement in decisions, but some got inconsistent advice and wanted peer support.
• RNSurvey2025Enhancing Parent Support During Emergency Department Visits for Suicidal Adolescents.International journal of mental health nursingParents of adolescents presenting to an ED in suicide crisis overwhelmingly wanted help caring for their child after discharge, especially talking with ED staff. Only 25.2% received information about caring for the child after discharge, and many rated support poor.
• RNQualitative2025Addressing Weight-Related Bullying in Schools: Youth Perspectives on School Policies and Interventions.The Journal of school health71.6% of youth respondents had seen weight-related bullying. They wanted education, consequences, and policies naming weight, but some said school weight checks and letters about weight could make things worse.
• RNOther2025Association of Language Barriers and Depression Among Latino and Non-Latino White US Nursing Home Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationDepression was common among nursing home residents, but Latino residents were less likely to have depression documented, especially those needing a Spanish interpreter. This may signal under-recognition, not lower need.
• RNCohort2025Biobehavioral correlates of multidimensional fatigue in men with prostate cancer: A secondary data analysis.European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing SocietyIn men with prostate cancer receiving radiation, general, physical, and mental fatigue worsened during treatment, while emotional fatigue improved. After treatment, general, physical, and mental fatigue improved, but emotional fatigue stayed steady.
• RNQualitative2025A Family Camp for Families Where a Parent Experiences Mental Health Challenges: A Qualitative Evaluation.International journal of mental health nursingParents and children said a weekend Family Camp combining family activities, peer connection, creative play and nature gave them time to connect and talk about mental health, but parents found it emotionally exhausting. This reports experiences, not measured effects.
• RNSystematic Review2026Women's Experiences of Care and Support Following Postpartum Psychosis: A Meta-Ethnography.Journal of advanced nursingWomen with postpartum psychosis described delayed recognition, traumatic separation from infants in general psychiatric units, stigma, medication conflicts, and relief from mother-baby units, tailored information, psychological support and peer support.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2026Exploring the Healthcare Experiences and Preferences of LGBT+ People: An Online Asynchronous Focus Group Study.Journal of advanced nursingLGBT+ patients described healthcare in Ireland as fragmented and often unsafe, citing misgendering, heteronormative assumptions, and a lack of competent providers. They relied on word-of-mouth to find care, with rural patients feeling particularly excluded from services.
• RNOther2026Research Priorities for Nursing and Allied Health: A Priority-Setting Project Using a Partnership Approach.Journal of advanced nursingPatients, carers and clinicians in two Australian hospitals prioritised access, patient journey, streamlining care, dementia and delirium, mental health, older adults, carers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and workforce. These are nursing and allied health research priorities, not tested care changes.
• RNSystematic Review2026Community-Based Initiatives to Improve Maternal and Newborn Health in High-Income Settings: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.Journal of midwifery & women's healthPeer support in high-income countries consistently improves maternal mental health and breastfeeding rates, with 9 of 10 studies showing benefit. Social support alone is often ineffective, but gains value when combined with health education. Women valued connectedness and practical information.
• RNOther2025Complementary Interventions Using Technology for Individuals With Infertility Using Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Scoping Review.Nursing & health sciencesTechnology-based education, counselling, and lifestyle coaching for infertility treatment was reported to improve knowledge, stress, anxiety, coping, diet, and satisfaction. It did not show better fertility-related quality of life, health behaviours, or pregnancy rates.
• RNQualitative2025A Qualitative Study of Ecological Momentary Assessment of Suicide Risk for Persons Living With HIV in Philadelphia, PA, USA: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Ethical Implications.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACTen adults living with HIV reported daily suicide-risk prompts increased self-awareness and sometimes motivated action. Some skipped questions or underreported suicidal thoughts because of fear of hospitalization or stigma. Participants wanted clearer warnings about which answers could lead to hospitalization.
• RNCase-Control2025Sleep, physical activity, and pregnancy symptoms: Factors associated with cognitive performance in early pregnancy.MidwiferyIn early pregnancy, memory learning scores were lower than controls. Physical symptoms were associated with worse memory interference, and longer sleep with better executive task scores. Stress, depression and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were unrelated.
• RNSurvey2026Drills or Distress? Understanding the Psychological Effects of Active Shooter Drills on Adolescents.The Journal of school nursing : the official publication of the National Association of School NursesMost students who had active shooter drills did not feel anxious afterward, but female students, students with anxiety, suicidal thoughts, disability, or more childhood trauma were more likely to feel anxious afterward. More frequent drills were linked to lower reported anxiety.
• RNSystematic Review2026Family Bereavement Support Interventions in Specialist Adult Palliative Care: A Rapid Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.Journal of advanced nursingPalliative care bereavement support helped some families cope, but effects were inconsistent. Pre-death needs assessments and clear communication, plus follow-up within six months, were valued. Evidence was mixed and not strong enough to prove which supports work best.
• RNOther2025Self-Care in Addiction Recovery: A Scoping Review.International journal of mental health nursingPeople recovering from substance use disorders described self-care as emotional regulation, relationships and coping, including sometimes maladaptive drug use. Mindfulness, CBT, digital tools, substance-free activity and harm reduction were mapped, not proven effective.
• RNSurvey2025How Do Mental Health Nursing Students in the United Kingdom Experience Assessment Against the NMC Generic Standards of Proficiency? A Cross-Field Comparison.International journal of mental health nursingMental health nursing students reported significantly lower confidence to practise than adult nursing students, largely because generic standards prioritise medical procedures rarely used in mental health settings. This forced students into adult placements and created assessment barriers.
• RNSurvey2025Factors relating to climate change anxiety in women at reproductive age: A CHAID analysis.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PWomen averaged 52.46 of 90 for climate-change anxiety, a moderate level. Higher total scores were associated with anxiety about climate harms and knowing about climate change. This was cross-sectional, so it does not show cause.
• RNOther2025Characterizing symptom clusters for older adults with urinary incontinence in home healthcare.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Most home healthcare episodes for older adults with urinary incontinence had no tracked symptoms documented. When symptoms appeared, anxiety, dizziness, constipation, and a complex all-symptom cluster emerged; dizziness-anxiety was tied to a history of two or more falls.
• RNSystematic Review2026Scoping Review of Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research in Ireland.Journal of advanced nursingIrish sexual and gender minority health research is narrow: most studies cover gay and bisexual men, adults, mental health and HIV. Nurses may see patients report stigma, hidden identities, misgendering and barriers to care.
• RNCohort2025Beyond Somatic Multimorbidity: Longitudinal Effects of Edentulism and Mental Health on Cognition in Older Adults.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn older adults with chronic conditions, complete tooth loss was linked to faster cognitive decline over time. Mental health conditions alone were linked to lower starting cognition but not faster decline.
• RNOther2025Caregiver Burden and the Related Factors Among Family Caregivers of Older Persons With Schizophrenia: A Mixed Methods Study.International journal of older people nursing52.6% of family caregivers of older people with schizophrenia in Nigeria reported severe burden. Depression and anxiety were the strongest factors linked to higher burden, along with financial strain and social sacrifice.
• RNQualitative2025Lived Experiences of Transgender Inmates in Barcelona Prisons: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study.Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of NursingEight transgender inmates described prison healthcare as stigmatizing and fragmented, and valued care when nurses used chosen names and listened. They reported interrupted hormones, inadequate mental health and sexual health support, isolation called protection, and recurrent suicidal thoughts.