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.

2,164 PAPERS · PAGE 43 OF 44 · NEWEST FIRST

• RNSystematic Review2026Rules and Limit-Setting in Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Wards: A Systematic Narrative Review.Journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing : official publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, IncNo agreed standard for adolescent psychiatric ward rules emerged, but reviewed wards mostly set limits on aggression, sexual activity, participation and schedules. Young people said rules felt fairer when staff explained why they existed and applied them consistently.
• RNQualitative2026Intensive Home Treatment in Mental Health: A Qualitative Exploration of Carers' Experiences.International journal of mental health nursingFamily carers during intensive home mental health treatment described exhaustion, disrupted routines and anxiety, but also closer relationships. They wanted private time with professionals without the patient present to express doubts and distress.
• RNSurvey2026Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese version of the Maternal Adaptation Scale: a methodological study.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)The adapted Chinese maternal adaptation scale can help nurses identify postpartum mothers with poorer adaptation, especially those with depressive symptoms and less spousal help.
• RNCohort2026Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Depressive and Behavioral Symptoms in US Nursing Home Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationLockdown did not produce clinically meaningful worsening in nursing home residents’ overall depression or behavior scores. Some residents with mild depression were more likely to worsen, and those with severe behavior symptoms were more likely to improve.
• RNQualitative2026Perspectives and support needs for a spouse-inclusive digital intervention for perinatal depression and anxiety: a qualitative study.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)Women and spouses described perinatal distress as emotional, cognitive, and social. They suggested a spouse-inclusive app with symptom information, communication and role guidance, and trusted professional content.
• RNSurvey2026Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in ICU Survivors After COVID-19.Nursing in critical care106 ICU survivors had high symptom burden: 56.6% reported anxiety symptoms and 53.8% depression symptoms. Female sex and memory problems were linked to anxiety; pain, memory problems and lower quality of life to depression.
• RNOther2026Effects of a nurse-led navigation program for first-time pregnant Korean women on maternal anxiety and childbirth confidence: a quasi-experimental study.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)First-time pregnant women at 35+ weeks who received a 3-week nurse-led navigation program reported lower anxiety and higher childbirth confidence than women receiving usual education. Baseline childbirth confidence differed between groups, so the confidence result is less certain.
• RNSurvey2026Association of Fatalism and Diabetes-Related Stigma With Self-Care in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study.Nursing openHigher fatalism and stigma scores were linked to lower diabetes self-care in 150 adults. Fatalism had the stronger association. Screening for these beliefs during nurse-led education may help identify patients at risk of poor self-management.
• RNOther2026Delirium-Related Distress of Hospitalised Older Adults Within the Framework of the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Literature.International journal of mental health nursingHospitalised older adults recalled delirium as frightening, lonely and confusing, with fear, shame and distrust. Family presence, calm validation and hand holding were described as easing distress, while rushed or critical staff communication was linked to more distress.
• RNSurvey2026Key Strategies for Improving Psychiatric Home-Based Care in Spain: A Modified Delphi Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesStakeholders prioritized five feasible improvements for psychiatric home care: training on referral criteria, standardized discharge protocols, feedback to referring professionals, better visit scheduling, and updated capacity information. Staffing increases were rated important but not immediately achievable.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026The Prevalence of Anxiety in Patients With Beta-Thalassaemia Major: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nursing openAbout one third of patients with beta thalassaemia major screened positive for anxiety symptoms, but the estimate varied widely across studies and settings. A positive screen means possible anxiety needing assessment, not a confirmed disorder.
• RNCohort2026Individual and Interactive Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Household Income on Adolescent Depression and Anxiety Symptoms.Research in nursing & healthParental mental illness, substance use, incarceration, or intimate partner violence in early childhood was associated with more adolescent depression and anxiety. Maltreatment experiences were not. Low household income was associated with depression, not anxiety.
• RNQualitative2026Social determinants of health that permeate adolescent students' mental distress.Revista brasileira de enfermagemAdolescents in Brazilian state high schools described mental distress as connected to pressure about future jobs and studies, family conflict, bullying, unsafe streets, poor self-image, self-harm, and family illness. They also described family and peer support as protective.
• RNQualitative2026Experiences and Views of African Australian Consumers on the Role of Spirituality, Religion and Culture on Mental Health.International journal of mental health nursingAfrican Australian consumers described distress from migration, lost community and stigma. They valued care that understood faith and culture, saw medication-only as disconnected, and wanted trusted community or faith figures involved.
• RNRCT2026Effect of a Stoma Care Training Belt on Stoma Care Skills, Adjustment, Anxiety and Satisfaction in Intestinal Stoma Patients: Randomized Controlled Study.Nursing openIn intestinal stoma patients, preoperative nurse training with a wearable belt raised skill and adjustment scores, lowered anxiety after discharge, and improved education satisfaction versus standard care.
• RNOther2026The Barriers and Enablers to the Use of Alternative Approaches to Restrictive Practices: A Scoping Review and Causal Loop Diagram.Nursing openMental health staff and service users described factors they said mattered for reducing restraint and seclusion: better communication, rapport, peer support, trauma-informed care, de-escalation training, adequate staffing and ward environments. This maps barriers and enablers, not tested effectiveness.
• RNSystematic Review2026Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for older adults with dementia: An umbrella review.International journal of nursing sciencesNon-drug dementia care approaches produced small, consistent reductions in agitation, depression and anxiety, with modest cognitive gains. Quality of life did not show a clear improvement, so choose interventions for specific symptoms rather than overall wellbeing.
• RNQualitative2026Family experiences in managing mental disorders in adolescents.Revista brasileira de enfermagemCaregivers of adolescents with mental disorders described grief, guilt, stigma and constant vigilance. Mothers adjusted routines and feared crises, suicide risk and treatment interruption, while seeking information and support.
• RNCohort2026Heterogeneous longitudinal trajectories of sense of coherence and associated characteristics among newly diagnosed HIV-positive men who have sex with men: A cohort study.International journal of nursing sciencesNewly diagnosed HIV-positive men who have sex with men lost psychological coping resources on average over the follow-up period. Distinct trajectories appeared, and stigma, stress and depression were linked with poorer coping.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Effects of group reminiscence on psychosocial outcomes among nursing home residents with intact cognition and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesNursing home residents with intact cognition or mild cognitive impairment took part in group reminiscence and showed less depression and higher life satisfaction, self-esteem and happiness. Loneliness evidence was inconclusive.
• RNQualitative2026Access to mental health services: the perspective of people experiencing homelessness.Revista brasileira de enfermagemPeople experiencing homelessness said they learned about mental health services through street contacts and outreach teams. They often chose food, hygiene and shelter first, reported stigma in some services, and valued the street clinic for respectful, quick care.
• RNQualitative2026Coping with COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit admission.Revista brasileira de enfermagemSurvivors of COVID-19 intensive care described lasting fatigue, breathlessness, memory problems, anxiety and depression. They valued nurses' comforting words, touch, listening and monitoring, and said the experience made them cherish health, family and simple daily moments.
• RNQualitative2026Ethnic Disparities in Clinical Decision-Making for Rapid Tranquillisation in Adult Forensic Mental Health Inpatient Settings: A Qualitative Study.International journal of mental health nursingStaff documentation showed similar medication and restraint patterns across ethnic groups, but ethnic-minority patients had shorter warning signs, less documented negotiation and planning, and less debriefing after forced sedation.
• RNQualitative2026Insights From a Child & Adolescent Mental Health In-Patient Unit: Towards the Potential Development of Person-Centred Practices.Journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing : official publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, IncYoung people, caregivers and staff described inpatient care as uneven. Clear information, empathic nurses and trusting moments were valued; rigid routines, poor communication, boredom and feeling judged were distressing.
• RNOther2026Symptom Clusters and Frailty Among Older Adults With and Without Cancer: Insights From Two Cross-Sectional Studies.Nursing & health sciencesIn older adults, depressive symptoms were associated with frailty, and sleep disturbance was linked to part of that association. Pain interfering with daily life was linked to variation in the depression-sleep association in nursing home residents, but not in cancer outpatients.
• RNQualitative2026Collaboration With Clinicians in Inpatient Mental Healthcare: A Qualitative Investigation of Consumer Perspectives.International journal of mental health nursingConsumers in involuntary mental health care said collaboration often failed, especially around medication decisions. They felt dismissed as psychotic when ordinary concerns were recorded as illness. Warm, present relationships with clinicians, including nurses, made them feel safe enough to collaborate.
• RNSurvey2026Anxiety in mothers of children with COVID-19 based on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.Revista brasileira de enfermagem50% of mothers of infants confirmed with COVID-19 had moderate anxiety; mothers with lower education or income had higher state anxiety during the child's infection.
• RNRCT2026Internet-based intervention on maternal sleep and anxiety: a randomized clinical trial.Revista brasileira de enfermagemMothers of infants aged 10 to 24 months who received two online coaching sessions covering sleep hygiene, infant sleep management, relaxation and self-efficacy, plus scheduled WhatsApp messages, had better sleep and lower anxiety after 30 days than controls.
• RNOther2026Relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms and social support in patients with atrial fibrillation.Revista brasileira de enfermagemPatients with atrial fibrillation who reported more affectionate support, emotional/informational support, and positive social interaction had lower depression scores. Social support was not linked to anxiety symptoms.
• RNQualitative2026Facilitating Personal Recovery in Individuals With Mental Illness: A Longitudinal Qualitative Interview Study of a Person-Centred Group Intervention.International journal of mental health nursingParticipants with mental illness described 12 weekly group sessions combining two Discovery and ten Guided Self-Determination sessions as helping them feel less alone, more hopeful, and more able to manage daily challenges. This reports their experiences, not proof the group works.
• RNSystematic Review2026Interventions to Promote Positive Mental Health in Family Caregivers: a Systematic Review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemSome nurse-led caregiver education, counselling, app, phone and home-visit programs were reported to improve mental health, health-information skills or reduce anxiety, but effects varied and burden results were inconsistent.
• RNOther2026A Cross-Sectional Study of Prescribed Sleep Medication Use and Its Clinical and Demographic Factors Among Young People Receiving Mental Health Crisis Interventions in Sydney, Australia.Journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing : official publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, IncAmong 201 young people in a Sydney mental health crisis service, 42 (20.9%) used prescribed sleep medication, mostly melatonin. A stay of 42 days or longer, trauma-related diagnoses and multiple medications were linked with higher sleep medication use.
• RNRCT2026Effects of Motivational Interview-Based Cognitive Therapy in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.The journal of nursing research : JNRIn patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who took medication irregularly, eight nurse-delivered sessions of motivational interview-based cognitive therapy improved adherence more than routine care at 24-32 weeks, not at four sessions. Insight and positive symptoms also improved more than routine care.
• RNQualitative2026Enabling Recovery Following Peer-Perpetrated Sexual Violence: Lived Experiences of Young Women in Sweden.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesYoung women recovering from peer-perpetrated sexual violence described regaining meaningful life through insight, safe relationships, stillness, and telling their story. For nurses, this points to nonjudgmental disclosure support and helping find words, not proof that any intervention works.
• RNCohort2026Trends in Pediatric Mental Health-Related Emergency Department Visits During the School Year and School Breaks.The Journal of school healthSchool breaks did not coincide with more suicidal ideation visits, but visits during breaks were more often admitted or transferred. Youth mental health ED visits rose after August 2020.
• RNQualitative2026Using Buzzy ® in venipunctures: perceptions of children and adolescents with congenital cardiopathies.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemMost children and adolescents with congenital heart disease said venipuncture felt less painful and frightening with Buzzy. They described numbness, relaxation, distraction, and feeling calmer. Two said pain felt the same.
• RNPilot2026Pilot Study of Oral Microbiome and Psychoneurological Symptom Cluster in Breast Cancer.Nursing researchIn 22 people with breast cancer before mastectomy, higher symptom burden was linked to fewer unique oral bacteria and more Aggregatibacter, Lautropia, and Prevotellaceae UCG-001. This pilot cannot show bacteria cause symptoms.
• RNQualitative2026Nurses' and Families' Experiences of a Feasibility Trial Comparing Single-Use and Multiple-Use Endotracheal Suction Catheters in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Qualitative Study.Nursing in critical careNurses said chlorhexidine flushing made suctioning feel cleaner, but shortages, policy and workload made consistent use hard. Families often consented through trust and clear, patient explanations rather than full understanding.
• RNSystematic Review2026Self-esteem in adolescents with obesity: a scoping review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemAdolescents with obesity often had lower self-esteem, especially girls. Weight stigma and teasing linked to depression, eating disorders, and school problems. Interventions did not consistently improve self-esteem.
• RNQualitative2026The Meanings and Experiences of Motherhood in Women Diagnosed With Severe Mental Illness: A Tidal Model-Informed Qualitative Study.International journal of mental health nursingWomen with severe mental illness described stigma and professionals dismissing their desire to be mothers. Some hid pregnancy or gave up. Others described support from family, partners or clinicians as helping them pursue motherhood.
• RNCohort2026Post-COVID conditions: co-occurrence of symptoms and challenges for comprehensive care.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PIn 821 adults with post-COVID conditions, fatigue, headache, breathlessness, leg pain and cough were common; symptoms clustered within body systems. Four or more symptoms were linked to vital-sign assessment and specialist referral.
• RNSurvey2026Suicide, quality of life, and psychotropic medication use in women with breast cancer.Revista brasileira de enfermagemIn 102 women with breast cancer, 15.7% were classified as at risk of suicide. Psychotropic medication use was associated with higher suicide risk and lower quality of life in all four WHOQOL-bref domains.
• RNCohort2026Prevalence of Kinesiophobia and Associated Factors Among Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.Nursing openAfter PCI, 80.41% had fear of movement by the study cutoff. Nurses may screen early and prioritise married, retired, low-activity, hypertensive patients with high anxiety or stress.
• RNSurvey2026Investigating the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Cut-Off Point and Predictors of Paternal Postnatal Depression in Fathers: A Cross-Sectional Study.Nursing openFor Iranian fathers, an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score above 7 had 100% sensitivity and 91.49% specificity for psychiatrist-diagnosed postnatal depression; using it, 26.7% of 240 fathers screened positive.
• OTRNOther2026Recovery-Oriented Care Planning in Mental Healthcare Services: A Combined Concept Analysis and Scoping Review.International journal of mental health nursingRecovery-oriented mental health care planning was described as a flexible, person-led conversation, not a form. It centred the person's strengths, goals and supports, with clinicians acting as facilitators rather than directors.
• RNOther2026From Control to Connection: Reflections on Implementing Safe Steps in Acute Mental Health Units.International journal of mental health nursingSafe Steps combined a relational de-escalation model, training, and restrictive practice review. Staff pressures and variable tool use limited embedding; prior evaluations reported lower seclusion and restrictive events, but components cannot be separated.
• RNSurvey2026The Association Between Lifestyle Factors and Sleep Quality in Haemodialysis Patients.Nursing openIn patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis, 73.4% had poor sleep. Depression and lower self-management were linked to worse sleep even after accounting for age, dialysis duration, nutrition, exercise, smoking, and drinking.
• RNQualitative2026Walking Together: A Cross-Cultural Study of the Relationship Between Religiosity and Substance Use Disorder.Nursing & health sciencesHomeless people with substance use disorders in Brazil and Portugal described faith as active during drug use. Many felt God protected them from overdose or disease. That could comfort them, but it may also make risky use seem safer.
• RNSurvey2026Prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression after COVID-19.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemAmong 381 adults at least four months after PCR-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, screening suggested possible or probable anxiety in 46.45% and depression in 22.31%; fear of reinfection and previous history of mental disorders were strongly linked to both.
• RNSystematic Review2026Self-compassion interventions for family caregivers of people with dementia: a scoping review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemSome mindfulness, compassion, yoga, ACT, or mentalization programs for family caregivers of people with dementia were associated with better emotional well-being, quality of life, or lower anxiety. Self-compassion improved in only some studies.