The evolution, intellectual structure, and developmental trends of global mental health nursing research: A...

The high prevalence of mental disorders and the central role of nursing in mental health care highlight the necessity of systematically mapping scientific trends. Such analyses provide a critical evidence base for guiding future research priorities, curriculum design, and clinical strategies.

This study investigates the global evolution, intellectual foundations, and thematic trajectories of mental health nursing literature published between 2015 and 2025 through bibliometric methods.

Publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed using the bibliometrix package and Biblioshiny interface in R. Performance analyses identified annual publication trends, leading authors, and institutions, while Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) and thematic mapping were applied to explore the conceptual structure of the field.

From 1695 publications, 853 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. The field demonstrated an annual growth rate of 1.36%. Conceptual mapping revealed multidimensional themes clustered around clinical practice, patient experiences, professional roles, and complex clinical contexts. Over time, research has shifted from a predominantly clinical orientation toward preventive approaches and innovative interventions, with a growing emphasis on digital technologies and emerging subspecialties.

Mental health nursing has evolved into a mature specialty within the discipline of nursing, extending beyond clinical care to encompass patient experiences, professional identity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The findings underscore the need for a paradigm that is patient-centered, evidence-based, and technologically integrated.

As concepts such as recovery and therapeutic relationships gain prominence, clinical practice must increasingly embrace patient-centered models, evidence-informed interventions, and the integration of novel technologies.