Journal information

The Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science publishes articles on the basic science (both research and theory) and methodology in the broad field of psychopathology and other behaviors relevant to mental illness, their determinants, and correlates.

The following topics fall within the journal’s major areas of focus:

• psychopathology—its etiology, development, symptomatology, and course
• basic psychological processes in individuals with mental illness
• maladaptive processes in nonclinical or community samples, with a particular emphasis on epidemiologic samples and those that are representative of a population relevant to the topic of study
• descriptive studies, especially those that inform our understanding of the nature of psychopathology
• experimental studies, with human or animal subjects, relating to disordered thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
• sociocultural effects on pathological processes, including the influence of culture and identities
• newly developed methods or novel applications of existing methodology to measure and interrogate psychopathology and its mechanisms

Empirical papers with a strong theoretical framework and/or models of computational parameters are particularly encouraged, as are systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Theoretical papers of scholarly substance about psychopathology and clinical science are also encouraged. Methodological papers that address, showcase, or demonstrate a technique or approach for an applied audience are also desirable. Viewpoint articles are brief papers about important topics related to psychopathology and related fields intended to highlight new developments, innovations, weaknesses in the field, and current debates. Case studies or case series from either a clinical setting or a laboratory will be considered if they raise or illustrate important questions that go beyond the single case and have heuristic value.

Each article should represent a significant addition to knowledge and understanding of psychopathology and clinical science in terms of etiology, description, mechanisms, or development. Visit the sample articles page to read published articles.

To improve the use of journal resources, it has been agreed that the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science will not consider articles focusing primarily dealing with the treatment of mental illness (which are more appropriate for the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology) or articles focusing primarily on measure development and assessment techniques (which are more appropriate for Psychological Assessment). Editors reserve the right to determine the most appropriate location of a manuscript.

Disclaimer: APA and the editors of the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science assume no responsibility for statements and opinions advanced by the authors of its articles.