Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Nursing Education: A Clinical Psychology Mixed-Method Analysis

AbstractPsychodynamic psychotherapy—grounded in the exploration of unconscious processes, defense mechanisms, and the therapeutic alliance—remains largely absent from undergraduate nursing curricula. This descriptive, cross‑sectional study evaluated baseline knowledge of psychodynamic concepts among 100 third‑year nursing students at Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital School of Nursing in Eastern India. Participants completed the 45‑item Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Knowledge Questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.891). Descriptive statistics revealed that 76 % of students scored in the poor knowledge range (0–15 correct answers), 14 % achieved moderate knowledge (16–30), and 10 % demonstrated adequate knowledge (31–45). A χ² test identified a significant association between knowledge level and programme type (B.Sc. vs. Post‑Basic B.Sc.; p = .040), whereas age, gender, and religion showed no significant relationships. The findings underscore a critical theoretical gap that may compromise students’ ability to deliver trauma‑informed, emotionally attuned care. Integrating psychodynamic content—through simulation, supervised reflection, and inter‑professional teaching—could foster deeper empathy, strengthen the nurse–patient alliance, and align nursing education with contemporary global mental‑health priorities. Longitudinal evaluations of learning outcomes and patient‑care quality are recommended.Future research will explore broader thesis-level investigations into resilience, the integration of AI in psychodynamic education, and mixed-method approaches that support culturally diverse student populations. These include the development of digital mental health interventions, reflective supervision models, and interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance psychodynamic capacity-building across nursing and clinical psychology.MethodA descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 third-year nursing students at Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital School of Nursing. Using a validated 45-item tool (α = 0.891), the study assessed students' understanding of psychodynamic concepts.Results: Most students (76%) showed poor knowledge of psychodynamic principles. Only 14% achieved moderate scores, while 10% demonstrated adequate understanding. A significant association was found with the type of nursing program (p = 0.040).ConclusionThese findings underscore the urgent need to integrate psychodynamic concepts into nursing curricula to improve reflective practice, emotional attunement, and therapeutic engagement in mental health care.