Research in psychoanalysis across theory and practice: a systematic literature review

The present systematic review of the literature aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of research in psychoanalysis. The arguments draw a difference between psychoanalytic research and research in psychoanalysis, meaning that in the past decades, there has been an attempt to bridge the gaps between psychoanalysis and broader research in psychology. Major scientific databases for contemporary psychological research (Ebsco PsycINFO, Ebsco CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and PEP-Web) were searched to gather psychoanalytic-oriented research, both theoretical and empirical. The PRIMA method provided a total of 36 results, on which a conceptual/reflexive thematic analysis was conducted. The identified themes or dimensions are: i) the epistemological status of psychoanalysis; ii) the research domains in psychoanalysis; iii) the research methodology in psychoanalysis; iv) the research methods in psychoanalysis; and v) the instruments of research in psychoanalysis. We conclude that, despite long-lasting difficulties in the epistemological cohabitation between psychoanalysis and mainstream psychological research, new hybrid ways for future psychoanalysis can be identified.