Child & Family Social Work

Scope & Guideline

Advancing child welfare through rigorous research.

Introduction

Explore the comprehensive scope of Child & Family Social Work through our detailed guidelines, including its aims and scope. Stay updated with trending and emerging topics, and delve into declining areas to understand shifts in academic interest. Our guidelines also showcase highly cited topics, featuring influential research making a significant impact. Additionally, discover the latest published papers and those with high citation counts, offering a snapshot of current scholarly conversations. Use these guidelines to explore Child & Family Social Work in depth and align your research initiatives with current academic trends.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1356-7500
PublisherWILEY
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1996 to 2024
AbbreviationCHILD FAM SOC WORK / Child Fam. Soc. Work
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Child & Family Social Work' focuses on the multifaceted aspects of child welfare and family dynamics, emphasizing research that informs practice, policy, and education in social work. It aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing insights that can enhance the well-being of children and families in various contexts.
  1. Child Welfare and Protection:
    Research on systems, practices, and policies aimed at protecting children from abuse and neglect, including evaluations of child protection services and interventions.
  2. Family Dynamics and Parenting:
    Exploration of parenting styles, family structures, and dynamics, focusing on the impact of family relationships on child development and well-being.
  3. Vulnerable Populations:
    Studies addressing the needs and experiences of marginalized groups, including children in foster care, children with disabilities, and families facing socioeconomic challenges.
  4. Mental Health and Resilience:
    Investigations into the mental health of children and parents, resilience factors, and interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes.
  5. Cultural and Contextual Influences:
    Examinations of how cultural, social, and economic contexts influence child welfare practices and family support systems.
  6. Innovative Interventions and Practices:
    Research on new methodologies and practices in social work, including the use of technology and community-based interventions.
The journal has increasingly highlighted several emerging themes that reflect current challenges and innovations in child welfare and family support. These trends indicate a shift towards more nuanced understandings of child and family dynamics in contemporary society.
  1. Digital Parenting and Technology Use:
    Research on the impact of digital technology on parenting practices and children's development is gaining traction, reflecting the growing relevance of technology in daily family life.
  2. Mental Health Interventions:
    There is a rising focus on mental health interventions for both children and parents, recognizing the critical role mental well-being plays in family dynamics and child development.
  3. Community-Based Support Models:
    Emerging research emphasizes the effectiveness of community-based support systems and interventions, moving away from traditional institutional models.
  4. Cultural Competence in Child Welfare:
    Increasing attention is being paid to cultural competence in child welfare practices, ensuring that interventions are sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of families.
  5. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs):
    Research on ACEs is trending, exploring their long-term impacts on health and behavior, and emphasizing the need for early interventions to mitigate these effects.
  6. Youth Participation in Decision-Making:
    There is a growing emphasis on the importance of involving children and youth in decisions affecting their lives, promoting agency and empowerment within child welfare systems.

Declining or Waning

Over the years, certain themes within 'Child & Family Social Work' have seen a decline in prominence, possibly due to shifts in societal focus or advancements in research methodologies. This section highlights these waning areas that may require renewed attention.
  1. Traditional Parenting Techniques:
    Research focused on conventional parenting approaches, such as corporal punishment, is becoming less prevalent as newer studies emphasize positive parenting and non-violent disciplinary methods.
  2. Institutional Care Models:
    There has been a noticeable decline in research centered around institutional care models for children, reflecting a shift towards community-based and family-centered approaches.
  3. Single-Factor Analyses:
    Studies that analyze single factors affecting child welfare outcomes are less common, with an increasing preference for multifactorial and systemic analyses that consider broader social determinants.
  4. Generalized Child Welfare Policies:
    Research that broadly assesses child welfare policies without considering specific cultural or contextual factors is declining, as there's a growing emphasis on localized and culturally relevant approaches.
  5. Focus on Child Maltreatment Alone:
    While child maltreatment remains a critical topic, the exclusive focus on it is waning in favor of a more holistic approach that includes positive development and family support.

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