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 3 OF 8 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTRNQualitative2026Beyond AIC: An Interpretive Descriptive Qualitative Study of Youth Experiences and Perceptions of Living With Type 2 Diabetes.Journal of advanced nursingYoung people with diabetes described stigma, fear from family complications, and mental health gaps; routines and support were tied to feeling normal.
• RNSystematic Review2026On the Move to Surgery: A Scoping Review of Patient-Reported Outcomes for Preoperative Walking Into the Operating Theatre.Journal of advanced nursingMost studies show patients feel less anxious and satisfied when walking to surgery, but results are mixed. One trial found lower satisfaction with walking, and an observational study linked supine transport to less severe anxiety. No adverse events were reported, but patient selection is critical.
• RNSystematic Review2025Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents: A Systematic Review on Prevention and Intervention Programmes.Journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing : official publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, IncTwo included programmes reported reduced self-injury or improved emotional regulation in adolescent observational studies, but evidence was limited and neither was nurse-led. Risk factors were inconsistent.
• RNRCT2026A randomised pilot study evaluating music therapy and virtual reality mindfulness sessions for reducing anxiety and stress in patients undergoing first-time elective cardiac surgery.Journal of perioperative practiceBoth music and VR reduced preoperative anxiety scores by similar amounts, but neither lowered stress hormone levels. Because there was no untreated control group, it is impossible to know if the interventions themselves caused the improvement.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2025Lived experiences, depression, and quality of life in Korean women with Parkinson disease after deep brain stimulation: a multimethod study.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)Quality of life and depression did not clearly improve in Korean women with Parkinson disease after deep brain stimulation, although motor symptoms improved. They described pain, visible device changes, battery costs, and fear of shutdown.
• RNSurvey2026Psychometric Validation of Culturally Adapted Tool for Measuring Attitudes Toward Domestic Violence: Bridging Social Norms and Community Interventions.Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing SocietyA six-item scale for Saudi adults captured recognition of domestic violence and support for intervention. Three questions about accepting violence did not fit, so it measures awareness, not personal acceptance.
• RNCohort2025The Impact of Urinary Incontinence, Sexual Dysfunction, and Depressive Symptoms on Health-Related Quality of Life Over the 12-Month Postpartum Period.The journal of nursing research : JNRPostpartum women had the lowest physical and mental quality of life at 1 month. Moderate to very severe urinary incontinence, depressive symptoms, and sexual satisfaction or lubrication scores were associated with quality of life.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2025Family Functioning and Parent Behavioural Changes Post-Admission to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Single-Centre Cohort Study.Nursing in critical careMost families maintained healthy functioning after PICU discharge, but caregiver distress strongly predicted poor outcomes. Nurses should screen for caregiver PTSD and mental illness during follow-up, as these affect family cohesion more than the child's clinical severity.
• RNQualitative2025Exploring How the Psychological Safety of Patients Is Impacted by Restrictive Practices in Inpatient Mental Healthcare: A Qualitative Study.International journal of mental health nursingEighteen former inpatients described restrictive practices as psychologically unsafe when staff reacted to behaviour without exploring why, used locked doors and blanket restrictions, or left them without debrief. Clear communication and small choices could improve safety.
• PTRNQualitative2026The Forgotten Caregivers: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experiences of Fathers of Children With Medical Complexity.Journal of clinical nursingFathers of children with medical complexity described night care, lifting, financial pressure and emotional support as central. They wanted peer support, flexible work, mental health help and physiotherapy for caregiver strain.
• RNSystematic Review2025Effect of Cognitive Behavior Therapy on the Mental Health of Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review.Gastroenterology nursing : the official journal of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and AssociatesIn adults with IBS, CBT was linked to improvements in anxiety, depression, sleep, quality of life, or symptom-related disability in many included studies, but not all. A mobile CBT study did not reduce IBS symptoms or quality of life.
• RNQualitative2025Navigating Uncertainty: Family Experiences and Coping Strategies During Critical Care Hospitalisation: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.Nursing in critical careFamily members of critical care patients described waiting for updates, feeling isolated, and suppressing emotions to appear strong as sources of stress. Detailed, repeated explanations and active bedside involvement helped some cope.
• RNQualitative2026"Rolling the Boulder Up the Hill": A Qualitative Study of Parents' Experiences Providing Ongoing Care at Home for Their Child with Complex Medical Needs.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresParents caring for medically complex children at home described doing nursing tasks, advocacy, and round-the-clock care, often without enough support, with strain on sleep, identity, and finances. Ask what support is missing.
• RNCohort2026Validation of the French-Canadian Version of FAME, a Family Engagement Measurement Tool for the Intensive Care Unit.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresA French-Canadian family engagement questionnaire for ICU families showed consistent scores. Higher engagement was associated with greater family satisfaction, not anxiety or depression.
• RNSurvey2025Influencing factors on quality of life in women undergoing cancer treatment: a cross-sectional study.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)Higher QoL was associated with less death anxiety, better daily-activity ability, and better perceived health in 101 hospitalized women with cancer. Body image and household labor were not significant predictors.
• RNSystematic Review2025Interventions for Psychological Stress in Pregnant African American Women: A Scoping Review.Issues in mental health nursingStress interventions for pregnant African American women showed mixed results. Quantitative data did not consistently prove reduced stress, but participants valued culturally matched support and mind-body techniques. Current evidence is too sparse to recommend specific protocols as effective treatments.
• RNSystematic Review2025Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dual Diagnosis: A Systematic Review Exploring Its Effectiveness and Implications for Nursing Practice.International journal of mental health nursingCognitive behavioural therapy helps people with dual diagnosis reduce substance use and mental health symptoms, but it is often no more effective than standard addiction treatments alone. Integrated approaches work, yet they do not clearly beat single-disorder care, so therapy choice should depend on patient tolerance and access.
• RNQualitative2025Environmental health literacy among riverside residents in the Amazon region of Pará.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PRiverside residents linked environmental health to visible cleanliness, waste disposal, and avoiding stagnant water. They reported gaps in reliable information and valued home visits and lectures.
• RNMeta-Analysis2025Effectiveness of Nurse Led Advance Care Planning Intervention for Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Meta-Analysis.Nursing openNurse-led advance care planning for chronic respiratory disease did not significantly improve quality of life, anxiety, depression, hospital admissions, or length of stay. Completion of advance directives showed a positive trend that failed to reach statistical significance.
• RNPilot2025Alignment of Minimum Data Set 3.0 Ratings With Staff Care Partner Reports of Symptoms of Distress for Nursing Home Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn nursing home residents with dementia, staff reports of distress symptoms matched MDS ratings for only about half. Wandering had the weakest match, so care plans and research may miss symptoms.
• RNSurvey2025Loneliness in Older Adults Receiving Hemodialysis and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study.The journal of nursing research : JNROlder hemodialysis patients reported loneliness scores averaging 41.5 on a 20 to 80 scale. Female sex, higher fatigue, and lower social support were associated with higher loneliness.
• RNQualitative2025Lived Experience and Clinician Perspectives on the Priorities and Challenges of Integrating Peer Support in Acute Psychiatric Services for People With BPD.International journal of mental health nursingPeople with lived experience of BPD and their families described peer support in acute psychiatric services as potentially reducing shame and isolation, if it is consistent, trauma-informed, and continues after discharge.
• RNOther2026Policy Knowledge and Abortion Access for US Active-Duty Servicewomen: A Mixed-Methods Study.Journal of midwifery & women's healthMany active-duty servicewomen who had abortions did not know military health coverage paid for abortion after rape or incest, or that recovery leave was an entitlement. 48% reported financial difficulty, 31% workplace repercussions, and 92% were not offered postabortion mental health support.
• OTRNCohort2025Correlates of Metamemory in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With and Without HIV in the Deep South: A Cross-Sectional Study.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACDepression and race were the strongest links to how accurately older adults judged their own memory. Those with depression or who underestimated their abilities reported more memory mistakes and less satisfaction. Objective memory impairment rates were similar between HIV-positive and negative groups.
• RNQualitative2025Bereaved Families' Experiences of Treatment Withdrawal and End-Of-Life Care in the Intensive Care Unit: An Exploratory-Descriptive Qualitative Study.Nursing in critical careSeven bereaved ICU families described shock, emotional strain, and coping through faith. They wanted private, regular updates, bedside presence, and simple care participation, such as bathing, rubbing cream, or holding hands.
• RNOther2026Development of the Preparation for Community-Based Labor and Birth Instrument Centering Black Perspectives in the United States: A Participatory Adaptation.Journal of midwifery & women's healthA childbirth-confidence questionnaire was adapted for people planning home or birth-center births, centering Black perspectives and adding items on safety, dignity, and racial identity. It is a tool for conversation, not yet a tested measure of birth outcomes.
• RNSystematic Review2026Nursing Interventions to Support Family Caregivers of Patients on Haemodialysis: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.Journal of advanced nursingNursing-led caregiver programmes for haemodialysis families mostly improved quality of life, depression, anxiety and self-efficacy, but burden results were mixed. Use structured education, coping, support and follow-up, not information alone, because effects can fade.
• RNSurvey2025Risk factors for harmful alcohol consumption: a multilevel analysis.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemAmong 373 primary care users in São Paulo, 17.1% had risky or harmful alcohol use and 1.8% probable dependence. Men, younger adults, people identifying as black, and high income were more likely to report risky or harmful use. Associations only, not causes.
• RNOther2025Experiences of Emotional Healing After Figurines Intervention in Rural Thai Primary School Children: A Mixed-method Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyChildren with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms reported gaining self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal growth after using figurines. Their depression scores decreased, but the small sample and lack of control group mean this shows potential, not proven efficacy.
• RNOther2025Patient-Controlled Sedation During Gynaecological Procedures-Aspects of Patient Satisfaction, Feasibility and Cost Per Patient: Empirical Research Quantitative.Nursing openPatient-controlled propofol sedation allowed 128 gynaecological procedures to be completed safely without anaesthesiologists present. Most patients reported no or mild pain, and 86% were very satisfied. Direct costs for IUD insertion were 85% lower when performed in the outpatient clinic rather than the day surgery unit.
• RNCohort2025Post-COVID-19 Consequences in Relatives of Severely Ill Patients: Results of the Prospective Multicenter NeNeSCo Study.Clinical nursing researchRelatives of ICU COVID survivors had more anxiety and caregiver strain than relatives of ward survivors. By 15 months, anxiety scores fell but clinically relevant anxiety stayed similar, while caregiver strain rose. Passive coping was linked to anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, and strain.
• RNQualitative2025Surviving families: experiences of losing a family member to suicide.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemBereaved families described suicide as unexpected and hard to understand, even after preventive efforts. They reported shared guilt toward themselves, relatives, and services, plus grief mixed with anger, relief, and later lessons.
• RNOther2026Capturing Gender Identity Through Documentation: A Program Evaluation of a Rural Mental Health Clinic.Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)A rural clinic recorded gender identity for 95% of 101 children and adolescents in 2023, compared with none of 3 in 2020. The paper did not measure whether this improved mental health or patient care.
• RNQualitative2025Experiences of Mothers with Substance Use in the Care of Children in the First Year of Life: A Qualitative Content Analysis.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyMothers with substance use described trying hard to feed, weigh, and soothe their infants, while also sometimes choosing drugs over care. They relied on family or online advice and feared stigma.
• RNPilot2025Anxiety and vital signs in cancer patients and music students before and after a music intervention: a quasi-experimental pilot study.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn 18 chemotherapy patients, anxiety ratings fell after live music, but systolic blood pressure and heart rate rose. With no control group and chemotherapy ongoing, music cannot be credited.
• RNQualitative2025Stressors experienced by informal caregivers: implications for home care for dependent older adults.Revista brasileira de enfermagemInformal caregivers of dependent older adults described sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and financial strain as primary stressors. They relied on coping strategies like prayer and music, but these were insufficient to manage the high levels of emotional and physical overload they experienced.
• RNCohort2026Social Interactions and Cell Aging Dynamics in Postpartum Women.Biological research for nursingHigher marital satisfaction was associated with telomere lengthening over a year. Negative social interactions and positive support were not, after the authors accounted for testing many variables. Telomere length is not a clinical outcome.
• RNSurvey2026Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Rural Perinatal Population.Journal of midwifery & women's healthRural prenatal patients screened anonymously: 53% of 421 screens reported trauma exposure, and 13.5% screened positive for probable PTSD. Of those with probable PTSD, 63.2% were interested in treatment research.
• RNSurvey2025Self-Reported Burden Among Informal Caregivers of Patients Receiving Psychiatric Hospital Treatment: A National Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of mental health nursing52.3% of outpatient and 66.8% of inpatient caregivers reported high burden, especially parents. Free-text comments described emotional strain, strained relationships, 24/7 demands and poor care coordination. Ask family caregivers about burden and discharge support, but this survey cannot prove what reduces it.
• RNQualitative2026Qualitative Exploration of Black Canadian Parents' Experiences of Having a Preterm Infant and Navigating Racism in the NICU.Journal of advanced nursingBlack parents described NICU staff, including nurses, as sometimes dismissive or stereotyping. They learned infant care but felt emotional distress was overlooked. Parents asked for empathy, culturally safe peer support, and clearer communication.
• RNCohort2025Sleep Quality, Circadian Rhythm Stability and Changes in Delirium State in Predicting Mortality Risk in Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Prospective Observational Study.Nursing in critical careICU patients with more fragmented sleep and less stable daily rhythms more often had delirium, and prolonged delirium was linked with higher six-month mortality. These are associations, not proof that improving sleep prevents delirium.
• RNQualitative2025Perspectives of Advance Care Planning for Latinos During COVID-19.The American journal of hospice & palliative careParticipants said language barriers, death taboos, and telehealth made advance care planning hard for Latino families, but COVID raised urgency to plan.
• RNOther2026Improving Parents' Emotional Well-Being in NICU: A Scoping Review.Nursing in critical careFamily-centred NICU programmes that let parents care for their baby daily were reported to lower parental stress and improve bonding; massage, music and apps were also reported to help, but three studies showed no benefit.
• RNSurvey2025Psychological impact of caregiving: anxiety and depression levels among caregivers of patients with pressure ulcers.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S P54.9% of caregivers of home-care patients with pressure ulcers had anxiety symptoms and 56.6% had depression symptoms. Distress was higher with stage IV ulcers, care over 12 hours daily, continuous care, no personal income, or caregiver chronic illness.
• RNSystematic Review2025Carers' Perceptions of Seclusion and Restraints in Mental Healthcare: An Integrative Literature Review.International journal of mental health nursingCarers described seclusion and restraint as traumatic, coercive and rights-violating, harming patients and themselves. They asked providers to use empathy, involve carers in decisions, and provide care, communication and debriefing when these practices are unavoidable.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2025Evidence-Based Pathways to Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Lifestyle Interventions for Longevity and Well-Being.Investigacion y educacion en enfermeriaOlder adults who followed Mediterranean diet, exercised, slept well, and stayed socially active showed better cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance, mood, and cognition. These are broad lifestyle effects, not a single proven treatment.
• RNRCT2025Sustainability of Complex Interventions: Recommendations From a Pragmatic Clinical Trial to Manage Cancer Symptoms.Nursing researchAfter funding ended, an oncology symptom programme continued with clinic-visit patient-reported symptom checks and RN symptom care managers for severe symptoms, social work and palliative referrals. This reports sustainment steps, not patient outcomes.
• RNSurvey2025Examining Social Support and Digital Literacy Among Caregivers of People Living With Dementia Receiving Hospice Services.The American journal of hospice & palliative careCaregiving stressors were associated with depressive symptoms. Social support and digital literacy did not explain that link, so support-focused or tech-focused help alone may not protect caregivers.
• RNSystematic Review2025Coping strategies used by migrant women during pregnancy. An integrative review.Investigacion y educacion en enfermeriaMigrant pregnant women described using social support, cultural connection, clear communication, positive attitude and emotional regulation to maintain health during pregnancy. Nurses and midwives can use these themes to guide assessment and care planning.
• RNCohort2026The impact of social determinants of health on mental and behavioral health trajectories of breast cancer survivors: A longitudinal cohort study.European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing SocietyAnxiety rose over time in 64 breast cancer survivors. Higher financial toxicity tracked with worse reported cognitive function and fatigue, and less recreational access with more anxiety. Sleep did not change. These links were associations, not proof that interventions work.