Call for papers: Stress, trauma, adversity and the academic experience

Manuscript submission deadline: August 15, 2026

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy invites submissions for a special issue/section focused on trauma and adversity in educational contexts. Traumatic experiences and chronic stressors—including adverse childhood experiences, neglect, abuse, exposure to violence, and toxic stress—are increasingly recognized as shaping students’ academic trajectories, yet the influence trauma exerts on the academic experience and achievement outcomes from the various disciplines in education research perspective remain underrepresented in the trauma literature.

This special issue/section seeks scholarship examining trauma in relation to a wide range of educational achievement outcomes, including standardized test performance, grades, GPA, academic growth, graduation, persistence, and postsecondary transitions. We particularly welcome work that clarifies mechanisms linking traumatic stress to learning, motivation, engagement, and academic functioning and that informs trauma-responsive educational policy and practice.

Submissions may use diverse methodological approaches. Quantitative, mixed methods, and longitudinal studies are strongly encouraged, alongside qualitative, conceptual, measurement, and policy-oriented contributions. All manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

Manuscripts should be submitted electronically via Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy’s Editorial Manager.

Manuscript submission deadline: August 15, 2026.