Navigate complex mental health literature with greater precision and confidence
For Victorian clinicians working in mental health, psychology, counselling, psychiatry, social work, and related disciplines, finding high-quality evidence can be challenging amid busy clinical workloads and an ever-expanding research landscape.
APA PsycInfo is one of the world's leading abstracting and indexing databases for behavioural science and mental health research. Produced by the American Psychological Association, it provides access to more than 5.8 million records from peer reviewed journals, books, book chapters and dissertations, with coverage spanning psychology and related disciplines including medicine, nursing, neuroscience, education, and social work. Content originates from more than 50 countries, including Australia, and is published in 30 languages, providing a truly global perspective on mental health and behavioural science research.
A trusted resource for mental health evidence
APA PsycInfo is widely regarded as a core resource for psychology and mental health research. While many clinicians associate it primarily with psychology journal articles, the database offers a broader view of behavioural and social science evidence, covering topics such as:
- Mental health and mental illness
- Psychology and psychotherapy
- Psychiatry Behavioural medicine
- Addictions Child and adolescent mental health
- Neuropsychology
- Trauma and resilience
- Health behaviour and health promotion
- Social work and counselling
- Workplace wellbeing
- Education and learning
Because mental health intersects with many areas of healthcare, APA PsycInfo can also be valuable for clinicians working in primary care, community health, public health, and specialist medical settings.
More precise searching with the APA Thesaurus
One of the most useful features of APA PsycInfo on EBSCOhost is its use of the APA Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms.
Rather than relying solely on keywords, clinicians can use controlled subject terms assigned by specialist indexers. This helps improve search precision and can uncover relevant research that may not use the exact terms entered by the user.
For example, a search on anxiety, trauma, cognitive behavioural therapy, or burnout can be refined using thesaurus terms, helping clinicians identify highly relevant evidence more efficiently. The thesaurus also allows users to explore broader, narrower, and related concepts, supporting more comprehensive literature searches.
Search beyond journal articles
While journal literature remains at the heart of APA PsycInfo, the database extends beyond traditional journal content. Users can discover:
- Peer reviewed journal articles
- Books and book chapters
- Dissertations and theses
- Conference related literature
- Historical psychological literature
- Interdisciplinary research from related health and social science fields
Coverage extends back several centuries (back to the 1600s), with extensive historical content alongside the latest research findings. New records are added twice weekly to ensure clinicians have access to current evidence.
Useful EBSCOhost features
APA PsycInfo is available on the familiar EBSCOhost platform used by many healthcare organisations and libraries around the world. Some helpful features include:
- Easy to use basic and advanced search options
- Filters for peer reviewed content
- Save and organise articles within a personal dashboard
- Export citations to reference management tools
- Links to related subjects and topics
- Mobile friendly access
- Search history and project organisation tools
These features can make it easier for clinicians to locate, save and revisit relevant research as part of ongoing evidence based practice and professional development activities.
Supporting evidence based mental health practice
For clinicians seeking high-quality mental health and behavioural science evidence, APA PsycInfo remains one of the most authoritative resources available. Its comprehensive international coverage, inclusion of Australian research, rigorous indexing and sophisticated search capabilities make it a valuable tool for both clinical decision making and continuing professional development.
Whether supporting patient care, quality improvement initiatives, research projects or lifelong learning, APA PsycInfo provides access to a substantial body of evidence that can help clinicians stay informed and confident in their practice.