Evolution of Mental Health Nursing Research in Indonesia Over Two Decades: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Background: Mental health nursing research in Indonesia has shown substantial growth, yet it continues to encounter challenges related to research infrastructure, limited resources, regional disparities, and funding constraints. Objectives: To capture the trajectory of this development, a bibliometric analysis was undertaken using data from the Web of Science Core Collection spanning 2006–2025. Methods: A total of 310 publications were examined through the WoS Analysis Tool, VOSviewer, MapChart, and Microsoft Excel. The analysis covered publication and citation trends, disciplinary focus, journal distribution, institutional contributions, authorship patterns, international collaborations, and keyword co-occurrence. Results: Results indicated a marked increase in output beginning in 2018, peaking at 54 publications in 2024. The dataset received a total of 2,167 citations, with an average of 6.99 citations per article, reflecting a growing international scholarly presence. The primary research domains included nursing (34.51%), psychiatry (20.95%), and public health (18.38%). The leading institutions were Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Airlangga, and Universitas Gadjah Mada. International collaboration extended across 60 countries, with Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States as the most frequent partners. Conclusion: The findings underscore an evolving research landscape in Indonesia, highlighting the importance of strengthening research capacity, diversifying methodological approaches, and fostering global partnerships to advance evidence-based practice and inform mental health nursing policy.