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 5 OF 8 · NEWEST FIRST

• 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.
• RNSurvey2026Psychological Outcomes of Family Members Related to a Loved One's Resuscitation in the Emergency Department: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of advanced nursingFamily members who witnessed a loved one's resuscitation reported more post-traumatic stress symptoms than those who did not. Most still wanted to be present, often for religious reasons. This is an association, not proof witnessing caused distress.
• RNQualitative2026A model to assist psychiatric nurses in facilitating support of parents who are caring for an adolescent with a mental disorder.CurationisParents of adolescents admitted to a psychiatric unit described grief and anxiety and said services gave little guidance. Psychiatric nurses have an expert-evaluated three-phase model to structure support, but it was not tested.
• RNCohort2026The Influence of Social and Psychological Factors on Cognition Among Liver Transplant Recipients.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)Fourteen of 23 liver transplant candidates scored below average on cognition. When age and education were considered, higher depression and anxiety scores were linked to lower cognitive scores. Social vulnerability was not linked to cognition. Cognition did not change significantly over 12 months.
• RNOther2026Impact of a Volunteer-Delivered Spiritual Care Strategy on Preventing Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-Family in Relatives of Critically Ill ICU Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study.Nursing in critical careTrained volunteers delivering three structured spiritual care sessions by video call were associated with lower PTSD symptoms in ICU family members at 3 months. Anxiety and depression showed no clear difference.
• RNSurvey2026Anxiety, Social Support and Coping Strategies in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Haemodialysis.Nursing openHaemodialysis patients who reported more social support and problem-focused coping had lower trait anxiety. Emotion-focused coping was associated with higher trait anxiety. The study cannot show which factor came first.
• RNOther2026Women and TB/HIV coinfection in Brazil: regional inequalities and trends in a scenario of vulnerability.Revista brasileira de enfermagemTB/HIV coinfection in Brazilian women did not rise or fall in any region from 2012 to 2023. Cases concentrated in younger, less-educated women; Black women were most often reported in four regions, and the South had the highest treatment abandonment and drug resistance.
• RNSurvey2026Exploring Mental Health Literacy and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience NursesPeople with MS had knowledge and beliefs about mental health that were higher in women and more educated patients. Quality of life linked weakly to mental health knowledge only, and nursing care ratings were mostly unrelated.
• RNCohort2026Effect of Substance Abuse on Suicidal Behaviors Among People Living With HIV: 11-Year Cohort Study.The journal of nursing research : JNRPeople living with HIV who also had substance abuse disorders faced nearly twice the risk of suicide compared to those without substance abuse. Sleep disturbances, rather than depression, mediated a significant portion of this increased risk.
• RNCohort2026The Changing Landscape of School-Based Health Centers and Other School-Based Clinics in California, 2011-2023.The Journal of school healthSchool-based clinics in California expanded significantly between 2011 and 2023, with mental health services driving growth in non-medical clinics. Access remains concentrated in urban, high-need schools, leaving rural and elementary students with fewer options.
• RNOther2026The Impact of a Home Visiting Program on First-Time Parents' Parental Self-Efficacy in Norway and Associations between Parental Self-Efficacy, Depressive Symptoms and Perception of Sleep.Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)Mothers showed no difference between groups in parental confidence. Fathers in districts with nurse home visits added to standard care had a small 3.58-point higher score at six weeks, but not at three months.
• RNQualitative2026Knowing to care: life stories of adolescent survivors of suicide attempts in a Brazilian metropolis.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PTwelve adolescent survivors described attempts as impulsive responses to anger, grief, family conflict, bullying, and feeling misunderstood. Nurses can listen for these themes in care. This is not evidence that listening prevents attempts.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Weekly Walking Attenuates the Association Between Frailty and Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.Research in nursing & healthIn adults with rheumatoid arthritis, frailty was linked to more depressive symptoms. Walking at least 3.5 days per week appeared to break this link. The association between frailty and depression was no longer significant in those who walked more frequently.
• RNPilot2026Phone-based intervention for anxiety management in primary health care users: A feasibility study.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PNurses delivered a brief phone anxiety protocol to primary care adults; 1,171 eligible received it, scores fell 0.45 points immediately but not at 7 days, and no control group.
• RNCohort2026Care Needs for Patients Screened Positive for Cognitive Impairment and Delirium: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.Journal of advanced nursingOn one audit day, 42.1% of hospitalised adults had possible cognitive impairment or delirium. Those with higher 4AT scores had more documented need for help with washing, dressing, toileting, eating and moving, and more incontinence, falls, pressure injury and nutrition risks.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026Delivering Palliative Care in Mental Health Nursing Settings: A Systematic Review.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingPeople with complex mental illness and dementia had very low access to palliative care, often lacked advance decisions, and needed familiar, continuous settings. Nurses may under-rate dementia symptoms.
• RNCohort2026Proximal Risk of Suicide-Related Behavior in Black Youth With a Parental History of Mood Disorder.Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses AssociationIn Black youth with a parent who has a mood disorder, a current diagnosis of depression and younger age were the strongest predictors of suicide-related behavior. Irritability and suicidal thoughts were also elevated, but only depression and age remained significant in the final model.
• RNCohort2026Influence of Social Support and Quality of Life on Mortality Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.The journal of nursing research : JNRIn adults on maintenance hemodialysis, higher baseline quality of life and higher reported social support were linked to lower 3-year mortality. Nurses can ask whether patients can actually use available help, not only whether they have family or friends.
• OTRNSurvey2026Dignity Among Older Persons in Long-Term Care Institutions in Taiwan and Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study.The journal of nursing research : JNR48.9% of 188 older residents in southern Taiwan long-term care institutions reported low dignity. Fewer or no children, lower daily living independence, inability to walk, higher education, and depression were associated with low dignity.
• RNRCT2026The Effect of Preoperative Stoma Education Including a Wearable Dummy Stoma on Postoperative Stoma-Related Anxiety, Adjustment and Self-Efficacy: a Randomised Controlled Trial.International journal of nursing practicePreoperative stoma education using a wearable dummy stoma lowered anxiety at first stoma care and improved self-care confidence and adjustment for 6 weeks compared with routine brochure, verbal, and visual teaching.
• RNRCT2026Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Intervention on Anxiety and Vital Signs of Patients Before Colonoscopy: A Randomised Controlled Study.Nursing openPatients waiting for colonoscopy who watched a 15-minute VR forest video reported less anxiety and had lower blood pressure than controls. The study did not show a heart rate difference between groups.
• RNSurvey2026Patient Activation in the Postpartum Period by Race, Ethnicity, and Spoken Language.Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNNMost postpartum women sought help when they needed it, but Spanish-speaking Hispanic women scored lower on patient activation. Nurses should tailor postpartum education and resources.
• RNCohort2026Role of Sense of Coherence in Mediating the Relationship Between End-of-Life Caregiving Burden and Bereavement Depressive-Symptom Trajectory.The journal of nursing research : JNRFamily caregivers who felt end-of-life demands were understandable, manageable, and meaningful were more likely to show low or resolving depression after bereavement in this observational study.