BMC Psychiatry . 2026 Jan Hope in mental health and psychiatric nursing: a scoping review

This comprehensive review investigates the role of hope within psychiatric nursing, specifically analyzing how this vital emotional state influences the recovery and treatment of mental illness. By synthesizing data from forty-three different studies, the authors explore therapeutic interventions that foster optimism and identify the specific factors that either nourish or obstruct a person's sense of possibility. While the research confirms that hope is a foundational element of mental healthcare, it highlights a significant gap in our understanding of the perspectives held by caregivers and professional nurses. Ultimately, the text serves as a call for enhanced clinical training and further evidence-based strategies to help specialists effectively manage and instill hope in their patients.