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.

1,218 PAPERS · PAGE 21 OF 25 · NEWEST FIRST

• RNSurvey2026Gender Identity, Victimization, and Suicidal Ideation: Comparing Risk Factors Among Transgender and Non-Transgender Youth.The Journal of school health47.1% of transgender youth and 17.1% of non-transgender youth reported seriously considering suicide in the past 12 months. Bullying and victimization were also linked to risk, but this survey cannot show cause.
• RNOther2025Maternal and neonatal factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding upon hospital discharge.Revista brasileira de enfermagemIn a tertiary Ecuadorian hospital, 91.55% of discharged newborns were exclusively breastfed. Exclusive breastfeeding was less likely with illicit substance use, tobacco use, hypertension, cesarean, anesthesia, multiple birth, low weight, low 5-minute Apgar, and cleft lip/palate.
• RNCohort2025Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors: a risk to sustainable development.Revista brasileira de enfermagemBreastfeeding lasted 5.2 months total and 3.2 months exclusively among São Paulo mother-baby pairs during the pandemic. Early pacifier use, first-month feeding difficulty, and early formula introduction were linked to shorter breastfeeding.
• RNSurvey2026Health Outcomes of Women on Community Supervision in South Central Texas During the Perinatal Period.Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNNSixty Texas women on community supervision reported high rates of unplanned pregnancy, partner violence, depression or anxiety, and limited birth support. Longer supervision was linked to more adverse perinatal outcomes, but not with gestational age.
• RNPilot2026Culturally Adapted Lifestyle and Mental Health Intervention for Low-Income Pregnant Women: A Feasibility Study.Western journal of nursing researchAdapted COPE was feasible and acceptable for low-income pregnant women. Lifestyle beliefs, lifestyle behaviors, and anxiety improved, while perceived stress did not change significantly. Online retention was higher, but depression scores rose again postpartum in online participants.
• RNOther2026Discrimination Against Immigrant Latina Mothers Associated With Pro-Inflammatory Gene Expression in Their Preschool-Aged Children.Biological research for nursingPreschool children whose mothers reported frequent discrimination had higher expression of pro-inflammatory genes. This association persisted after adjusting for maternal depression and child body mass index, suggesting a biological link between maternal stress and child immune activity.
• PTRNRCT2025The Effects of a Technology-Assisted Hybrid Cardiac Rehabilitation (TecHCR) Program for Adults With Coronary Heart Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Worldviews on evidence-based nursingA nurse-led hybrid cardiac rehab program improved exercise self-efficacy more than center-based rehab at 12 and 24 weeks. It also improved health-promoting behaviors and anxiety, but not exercise capacity, depression, or cardiovascular risk factors.
• RNOther2026Maternal stress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A concept analysis.Japan journal of nursing science : JJNSFor NICU nurses, maternal stress includes guilt, feeling stuck and vague anxiety about the future, not only anxiety or depression. Staff communication and support can ease or worsen it, so assessment should cover separation, alarms and parental-role barriers.
• RNSurvey2026Gender Difference in the Caregiving Burden and Psychological Distress of Family Caregivers of Liver Transplant Recipients.Nursing openBurden did not differ by gender, but women reported higher distress; burden was linked to distress, and men's depression and stress rose more as burden increased.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Lagged effects of risk factors on the disability of older adults: A distributed lag non-linear model approach.International journal of nursing sciencesRisk factors for disability in older adults follow three distinct timelines. Functional limitations like walking difficulty cause immediate harm within one year, while conditions like depression and hospitalization exert a cumulative burden over three to four years.
• SLPRNQualitative2026Patient Perspectives on Inpatient Mealtimes: Insights on Swallowing, Mental Wellbeing and Recovery.International journal of mental health nursingThirteen adults on mental health wards described shared dining as stressful, crowded and controlling, with queues, fixed menus and staff supervision reducing choice. Some linked anxiety to faster eating and greater choking worries.
• RNMeta-Analysis2025Does health-related quality of life change across pregnancy trimesters? A systematic review and meta-analysis.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)Across 13 studies of 4,809 pregnant women, overall health-related quality of life did not differ between first and second or first and third trimesters, but was lower in the third than the second.
• RNCohort2025Maternal depression over 7 years postpartum: trajectories and multidimensional predictors in a longitudinal cohort study.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)Over 7 years, 55.6% of mothers had elevated depression risk at some point, although scores did not change clearly over time. Prenatal symptoms, preterm or low-birth-weight infants, stress, low self-esteem, and marital conflict were linked to risk.
• RNQualitative2026Parents' Experiences of Having an Adolescent With a Mental Disorder Admitted to a Public Hospital's Psychiatric Unit.Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of NursingParents of adolescents admitted to a public hospital psychiatric unit in South Africa described grief, anxiety, physical stress, stigma, and feeling unsupported. Prayer and church helped, but they wanted clear information about diagnosis, medication, and discharge.
• RNSurvey2026The Impact of Perceived Stress on Depression Among Caregivers of Children With Enterostomy: The Moderating and Mediating Effects of Resilience and Perceived Social Support.Nursing openCaregivers of children with temporary stomas who felt more stress also reported more depression symptoms. Resilience was linked to part of this connection. Social support was linked to lower depression, but the study cannot show cause.
• RNQualitative2026Patient Experiences of a Recovery-Oriented Nursing Programme in Inpatient Psychiatric Care: A Qualitative Study.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingIn psychiatric wards, patients said nurse-led recovery groups felt useful when sessions were voluntary, structured, and led by attentive staff. Patients described the workbook and diary as tools to focus thoughts, plan for discharge, and continue strategies after leaving hospital.
• RNSurvey2026Synthetic Cannabinoid Use and Sports-Related Concussion Risk Among US Adolescents: Implications for School Health Screening and Prevention.The Journal of school healthUS adolescents who had ever used synthetic cannabinoids were more likely to report a past-year sports-related concussion in a survey sample of 27,482 students. The link remained after accounting for alcohol, marijuana, mood, sleep, and demographics.
• RNOther2026Postoperative Consequences of Fear and Anxiety in Open Heart Surgery: A Comparative Analysis of Two Patient Groups.The journal of nursing research : JNRReferral and nonreferral cardiac surgery patients had similar postoperative pain and similar preoperative anxiety and fear. In referral patients, fear was linked to pain, and anxiety was linked to discharge time, but no treatment was tested.
• RNOther2025Psychometric testing of the Korean version of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire: a methodological study.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)The Korean W-DEQ gives nurses a 26-item way to ask pregnant women about fear of childbirth, but it does not show that screening changes birth or mental health outcomes.
• RNSurvey2026Association between rheumatology patients' beliefs about medicines and treatment adherence.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PRheumatology patients who worried more about their medicines reported following treatment less closely. Concern about medication use was linked to lower adherence. Ask about medication fears before judging non-adherence.
• RNQualitative2026'In the Midst of a Thunderstorm': Young People's Experiences of Physical Restraint in Inpatient Mental Health Services in the UK.International journal of mental health nursingYoung people aged 10-13 described inpatient physical restraint as frightening and confusing. Fear built before contact, restraint felt like losing control, and distress lingered afterward, often without helpful debrief.
• RNOther2026Impact of the 'Reserved Therapeutic Space' Nursing Intervention on Acute Mental Health Inpatients' Perceptions of the Therapeutic Relationship, Quality of Care, Perceived Coercion and Length of Stay: A Multicentre Quasi-Experimental Trial.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingNurses using a 'Reserved Therapeutic Space' intervention saw patients report stronger therapeutic relationships, higher perceived quality of care, and less coercion. Length of stay also decreased, with patients in the intervention group discharged faster than those in usual care units.
• RNCohort2026Chronic adrenocortical activity and onset of Takotsubo syndrome.European journal of cardiovascular nursingHair cortisol was twice as high in 59 Takotsubo patients than in historical controls, but it did not track reported triggers or predict post-discharge psychological distress.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026The Effect of Reflexology on Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.The journal of nursing research : JNRPostoperative reflexology was associated with lower self-reported anxiety across 8 randomized trials in 485 open-heart surgery patients, but trials varied widely and some were medium quality, so it cannot be treated as proven relief.
• RNCohort2026Emergency Department Presentations for Mental Health Crisis: Comparing ED-Only Care With Transfer to a Crisis Stabilisation Unit.International journal of mental health nursingAdults transferred to a crisis stabilisation unit spent less time in the emergency department before transfer, but they did not return to the emergency department less often than adults who stayed there.
• RNSystematic Review2026Beyond Satisfaction: Person-Centred Care and the Physical Environment Revisited-An Integrative Review.Nursing openHospital design often adds comfort and satisfaction. Safety and staff workflow can override autonomy. Clinicians should look for layouts that support shared decisions, family presence, and equal access to information.
• RNOther2026Caregiver outcomes related to sleep disturbances in persons living with cognitive impairment.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Caregivers of people with cognitive impairment had more depression when they reported poorer sleep quality in the person they cared for. Reported sleep-related impairment was linked to worse mastery, and less daytime sleepiness to more burden.
• RNSystematic Review2026Advance Care Planning Interventions for Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review.Journal of renal careSome nurse-led ACP conversations with education or peer support increased completed advance directives and surrogate decision-maker identification in adults with CKD. Effects varied across studies, and no single best method was shown.
• RNOther2026The Arabic Control Attitudes Scale-Revised: Method Effect (Negatively Worded Items) and Measurement Invariance as Threats to Its Construct Validity Are Remedied in a 5-Item Version With Improved Performance.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingIn Arabic-speaking patients with heart failure, a 5-item control questionnaire gave a clearer picture of perceived control than the 8-item version. Dropping two negatively worded items and removing another item made scores easier to compare across groups.
• RNCohort2026Exploring the Evolution of Heart Failure Symptoms After Hospitalization and Associations With Social Determinants of Health and Demographic Characteristics.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingDyspnea, fatigue, and anxiety improved by 1 month after discharge and stayed stable through 6 months. Sleep, pain, and depression did not improve overall, so ask about them separately after discharge.
• RNQualitative2026Co-Designing End-of-Life Care for People With Pre-Existing Severe Mental Illness: Insights From Multiple Stakeholder Consultations.International journal of mental health nursingPeople with severe mental illness and staff described end-of-life care as late, poorly assessed, and stigmatised. Stakeholders co-designed priorities: simpler assessment tools, legal help, dying-in-place protocols, and joint palliative-mental health training.
• RNCohort2026The Association Between Levels of Post-Discharge Care Continuity and Long-Term Treatment Adherence and Anxiety-Depressive Symptoms in Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Nursing openIn myocardial infarction patients, structured post-discharge follow-up, medication and psychological content, and coordinated care were associated with better medication adherence and fewer anxiety-depression symptoms. This is an association from records, not proof that adding these care components causes improvement.
• PTRNOther2026Is a Hybrid Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme Feasible and Effective in Individuals With COPD After an Exacerbation-Related Hospitalisation: A Mixed Methods Study.Journal of clinical nursing21 patients who completed a hybrid home pulmonary rehabilitation programme rated it 95/100 and reported improvements in exercise, symptoms, anxiety and depression. These are before-and-after feasibility findings, not proof it works.
• RNQualitative2026Pretesting Parenting Instruments with Indigenous Fathers and Two-Spirit Parents: A Qualitative Study.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresSix Indigenous fathers and Two-Spirit parents found common parenting and depression questionnaires confusing, culturally narrow, and unsafe around self-harm wording. They asked for plain language, clearer scales, and immediate culturally safe support before use.
• RNSystematic Review2026Social Isolation and Loneliness in People Living With Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Failure: A Mixed Method Systematic Review.Journal of renal careAdults in the included studies said dialysis schedules, infection fears, and changed routines narrowed social life. Loneliness and depression were described, though two studies found low loneliness or no link to depression.
• RNOther2026Medication Reconciliation in Outpatient Psychiatry: An Indicator of Communication With Primary Care? A Quantitative Descriptive Study.Journal of advanced nursingIn this outpatient psychiatry setting, 84.8% of the 33 patients with data showed at least one medication discrepancy between their psychiatrist and GP records. This highlights a major communication gap, but the small sample and lack of patient interviews limit certainty.
• RNSurvey2026Association Among Self-Compassion, Resilience, Positive Mental Health and Risk of Gaming Disorder in 18-30 Year Old Population in China and Thailand: A Cross-Regional Study.Nursing openHigher self-compassion was linked to lower gaming disorder risk in young adults. Moderate mental health was linked to higher risk than flourishing mental health. Resilience was not linked to risk.
• RNOther2026Exploring the Impact of Safewards on Aggression and Coercion in Psychiatric Inpatient Care: Findings From a Swedish Longitudinal Quasi-Experimental Trial.International journal of mental health nursingSafewards did not show reduced coercive measures or aggressive incidents in Swedish psychiatric wards. Staff reported Safewards becoming more routine over time.
• RNRCT2026The effect of infantile anti-colic massage and kangaroo care on postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression and maternal function of mothers.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PFor mothers of colicky infants, adding colic massage or kangaroo care to routine care for three weeks improved maternal function and lowered postpartum anxiety and depression more than routine care. Massage lowered depression more than kangaroo care.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026The Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Preoperative and Postoperative Anxiety Among Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Worldviews on evidence-based nursingFor adults having elective abdominal surgery, non-drug approaches lowered anxiety before and after surgery. Preoperative counseling had the largest effect; relaxation exercises may reduce opioid use and speed bowel recovery, but no intervention shortened hospital stay.
• RNSystematic Review2026Exploring Afghan Refugees' Post-Resettlement Experiences in North America: A Scoping Review.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresAfghan refugees in North America reported language barriers, miscommunication, and avoidance of cancer screening. Women preferred female providers and interpreters, and family support, provider reminders, and prayer encouraged screening. Mental health symptoms were common, but no interventions were tested.
• RNCohort2026COPD Management in Primary Care: Underutilisation of Nursing Consultations.Journal of clinical nursingMany patients recorded as having COPD in primary care lacked spirometry confirmation, and dyspnea or inhaler adherence was often missing. A COPD label may not mean the diagnosis is confirmed or care is documented.
• RNSystematic Review2026Healthcare Interventions to Support Informal Caregivers of People With Severe Mental Illnesses: A Scoping Review.International journal of mental health nursingEleven interventions to support families of adults with depression, anxiety or personality disorders were mapped. Several reported reduced caregiver stress or burden, but evidence was uneven and not checked for study quality. Ask caregivers what support they need.
• RNQualitative2026Navigating Care and Self-Care: Understanding Latina Caregivers' Prioritization and Engagement in Self-Care Practices.Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing SocietyLatina women caregivers said family duty and guilt often put caregiving ahead of self-care. They still used short routines like walking, music, journaling, faith, and friends, but respite was rare unless family could take over.
• RNQualitative2026The Experience of Depression, Self-Efficacy, and Family Functioning Among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Mixed Methods Study [Formula: see text].Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses AssociationMothers whose depression screening stayed positive described persistent low mood, self-blame, passive coping and strained family roles. Those whose screening stayed negative described acceptance, shared responsibilities and better communication. Some mothers' screening changed with stressors.
• RNNarrative Review2026An Exploration of Emergency Healthcare Provision When Intimate Partner Abuse Is Identified.Journal of clinical nursingEmergency staff often miss intimate partner abuse when it presents as anxiety or depression. Screening, training and referral gaps mean patients may receive mental health treatment without help for the abuse itself.
• RNSurvey2026Effects of Uncertainty on Depression in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology: The Mediating Role of Perceived Stigma and the Moderated Mediation by Spousal Support.Nursing & health sciencesSpousal support did not clearly change the link between uncertainty, stigma and depression in women undergoing fertility treatment. Uncertainty and stigma were associated with more depression, and stigma carried part of that link.
• RNSurvey2026Psychosocial Impact and Parental Stress in Families of Children With Severe Neurological Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities: A Cross-Sectional Study.Nursing openParents of children with severe neurological disorders and intellectual disability reported higher stress and more disruption to daily family life when the child also had psychological or psychiatric problems or conduct disorder.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Experiences of Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Their Caregivers During the Pandemic: A Systematic Review.Nursing openCOPD patients and caregivers described pandemic fear, anxiety and loneliness, plus reduced activity. Some managed exacerbations at home. Telemedicine helped some, but others wanted face-to-face care.
• RNNarrative Review2026From the Field - Supporting Families as They Navigate Infant Food Allergies.Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant AssociationTargeted maternal elimination diets, guided by symptom timing, are recommended over long, broad restriction for breastfed infants with suspected food allergy, with support and reassessment.