This research has as objects of study the conceptions and expectations of the clinical nurses in psychiatric institutions about the research developed in this area. It has the purpose to identify conceptions and expectations, enabling the identification of the process of dissemination and utilization of the research in the attention and administration of psychiatric nursing care. It was developed with nurses that work in psychiatric institutions at Salvador, in March, 1997. 25 nurses who worked in the period were interviewed expressing their opinions concerning the theme in study, through semi-structured interview. Results were quantitatively analysed, based on the theoretical-methodological design of the Social Representations. It was possible to conclude that the great part of the nurses interviewed mentioned that they did not have access to research in this area, as well as demonstrated difficulty of find the relations and influence of these research in their service, however they admit its importance to personal and professional development, that certainly, reflects on nursing care.