O-18 Mapping Mental Health Research in the Caribbean: A Bibliometric Analysis of Regional Challenges and Opportunities
Author(s):
C Contaret
Year of Presentation:
2025
Objective: This study is a bibliometric analysis of scientific
publications on mental health in the Caribbean. It aims to
highlight regional contributions, identify research trends, and advocate for stronger intra-Caribbean collaboration to
address current and future mental health challenges.
Methods: Publications involving at least one author affiliated with a Caribbean institution were included. Data was extracted using Web of Science, focusing on publications from countries like Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and other countries in the region. Bibliometric analyses were conducted using tools developed by Clarivate Analytics and VOS Viewer, examining scientific outputs by country, institution, and discipline.
Results: Between 1966 and 2023, 4,219 publications were identified, with 95% in English. Publications classified as Q1 in the Web of Science accounted for 44% of the total, and 65% of articles were indexed in the Medline Database. Major contributors included the USA (2,149 publications), Cuba (1,087), and Puerto Rico (996). Common keywords were depression (460), anxiety (214), and stress (268). COVID-19 was mentioned in 90 articles starting in 2020.
Conclusion: This study highlights the increasing focus on mental health research in the Caribbean while exposing disparities in contributions, with smaller islands often underrepresented. Strengthening regional networks and fostering collaboration are essential to address these gaps. By prioritizing interdisciplinary efforts and capacity-building, the region can enhance resilience to many problems including climate-related events and future global crises like pandemics.