Call For Papers
Submit your research to advance the understanding and treatment of mental health conditions in children and adolescents worldwide.
Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Invites Submissions
We welcome original research, clinical studies, systematic reviews, and case reports that advance the science and practice of pediatric mental health care.
JCAP provides a rigorous, peer-reviewed platform for clinicians, researchers, and educators committed to improving outcomes for young people facing psychiatric challenges.
The Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JCAP) is an international, open access, peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions affecting children and adolescents. Our editorial mission centers on publishing high-quality research that informs clinical practice, shapes public policy, and ultimately improves outcomes for young patients and their families.
We recognize that pediatric mental health represents one of the most pressing challenges in modern healthcare. Early intervention, evidence-based treatment, and family-centered care are essential to addressing conditions ranging from anxiety and depression to neurodevelopmental disorders and trauma-related conditions. JCAP serves as a trusted resource for the global community of child psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians, social workers, and allied health professionals.
Our commitment: JCAP upholds the highest ethical standards for research involving minors, ensuring that all published work demonstrates appropriate ethics approval, informed consent, and child assent procedures. We prioritize transparency, reproducibility, and clinical relevance in every publication.
JCAP welcomes submissions across the full spectrum of child and adolescent psychiatry. We encourage interdisciplinary approaches that bridge clinical practice, neuroscience, developmental psychology, and public health perspectives.
Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Research on depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive conditions in pediatric populations, including treatment efficacy and early intervention strategies.
Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Studies on autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, learning disorders, and developmental coordination challenges, including diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches.
Trauma and Stress Disorders
Investigations of PTSD, complex trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and resilience factors, with emphasis on trauma-informed care models and evidence-based interventions.
Behavioral Disorders
Research on conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and disruptive behavior patterns, including family-based interventions and school-based programs.
Eating Disorders
Clinical studies on anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in adolescent populations, including prevention and treatment outcomes.
Digital and School-Based Mental Health
Emerging research on technology-assisted interventions, telehealth psychiatry, cyberbullying impacts, and school counseling program effectiveness.
We publish diverse article formats to accommodate different research contributions and clinical insights. Each submission undergoes rigorous peer review appropriate to its format.
Original Research
Empirical studies presenting novel findings from clinical trials, observational research, epidemiological investigations, or translational studies with clear methodology and reproducible results.
Systematic Reviews
Comprehensive evidence syntheses following PRISMA guidelines, meta-analyses, and scoping reviews that inform clinical decision-making and identify research gaps.
Clinical Case Reports
Instructive case presentations highlighting diagnostic challenges, treatment innovations, rare presentations, or therapeutic breakthroughs with educational value for practitioners.
Expert Opinions
Invited commentaries and perspective pieces from leading authorities on emerging trends, treatment controversies, or practice recommendations in pediatric mental health.
Choosing JCAP means partnering with a journal that prioritizes both scientific rigor and author experience. Our editorial team understands the unique challenges of child psychiatry research and provides supportive guidance throughout the publication process.
- Open access ensures your work reaches clinicians, researchers, families, and policymakers without subscription barriers
- Rapid, constructive peer review with expert feedback to strengthen your manuscript
- DOI registration and CrossRef indexing for permanent discoverability and reliable citation
- Professional copyediting and production for polished final publication
- Ethical oversight appropriate for research involving vulnerable pediatric populations
- Author support from submission through publication with responsive editorial communication
Before submitting, please review our complete Instructions for Authors for detailed formatting requirements, ethics documentation, and manuscript preparation guidance.
- Manuscripts must be original work not under consideration elsewhere
- Ethics approval and consent documentation required for human subjects research
- Follow CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, or CARE guidelines as appropriate to study design
- Include data availability statement and conflict of interest disclosures
- Submit via ManuscriptZone with all required supplementary materials
Research involving minors: All submissions involving children and adolescents must include documentation of institutional ethics approval, parental or guardian informed consent, and age-appropriate child assent where applicable. We maintain strict compliance with pediatric research ethics standards.
JCAP employs a rigorous single-blind peer review process. Each submission receives evaluation from at least two independent experts in child and adolescent psychiatry or related disciplines. Our reviewers assess scientific validity, methodological quality, ethical compliance, and clinical relevance. Authors receive constructive feedback designed to strengthen their work, and editorial decisions are communicated promptly.
All articles published in JCAP are immediately available under Creative Commons licensing, ensuring that vital research on child mental health reaches everyone who needs it. Open access removes barriers for clinicians in resource-limited settings, educators developing training programs, and families seeking evidence-based information. Your work becomes part of the global knowledge commons, maximizing its potential to improve young lives.
Ready to Submit Your Research?
Join the global community of researchers advancing child and adolescent mental health. Submit your manuscript today.
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