Emotional management, empathy and emotional intelligence in mental health nursing: Educational insights from a scoping review

Abstract

Aim: To map the existing evidence on emotional management strategies used by mental health nurses and explore implications for education, curriculum and clinical practice. Background: Emotional competence is a component of mental health nursing, where nurses are frequently exposed to emotionally complex and demanding interactions. Despite its relevance, evidence remains fragmented regarding how emotional management strategies can inform the education and preparation of mental health nurses. Design: Scoping review. Methods: The review was conducted following the JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO from 2015 to 2024. Studies addressing emotional management strategies among mental health nurses were included. Data were charted and synthesised using thematic analysis. Results: Five studies from Portugal, Canada and the United States met the inclusion criteria. Four key themes were identified: (1) emotional management as a foundational professional competence; (2) education for emotional intelligence through structured training and reflective practice; (3) empathy as central to therapeutic engagement; and (4) self-awareness as a prerequisite for effective emotional regulation. Strategies such as clinical supervision, emotional intelligence training and reflective learning were associated with improved communication, personalised care, increased professional confidence and reduced burnout. Conclusion: Integrating the development of emotional competence into nursing education through structured learning, reflective pedagogies and supervised clinical experiences may enhance resilience, relational competence and preparedness for mental health nursing practice. Implications for Practice: Embedding emotional intelligence, empathy and self-awareness within nursing curricula can strengthen students’ emotional preparedness, promote wellbeing and support sustainable mental health nursing practice across diverse care settings