Journal of Family Studies

Scope & Guideline

Connecting Scholars to Family Insights

Introduction

Welcome to the Journal of Family Studies information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Journal of Family Studies, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1322-9400
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Converge1995, from 1997 to 2002, from 2005 to 2024
AbbreviationJ FAM STUD / J. Fam. Stud.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The Journal of Family Studies focuses on a diverse range of topics related to family dynamics, structures, and processes, emphasizing the interplay of cultural, social, and economic factors that shape family life. The journal aims to provide a platform for interdisciplinary research that informs both academic discourse and practical applications in family policy and practice.
  1. Intergenerational Relationships:
    Research on the dynamics and significance of relationships across generations, including grandparent-grandchild interactions and the impact of family structure on intergenerational support.
  2. Parenting Practices and Challenges:
    Exploration of diverse parenting styles, challenges faced by parents, and the influence of socio-economic factors on parenting, including studies on single parents, LGBTQ+ families, and parenting in crisis situations.
  3. Work-Family Balance:
    Investigations into the balance between work and family responsibilities, including gender roles, workplace policies, and the impact of economic conditions on family functioning.
  4. Cultural and Contextual Influences:
    Analysis of how cultural backgrounds and contexts influence family dynamics, parenting practices, and family identity, with a focus on immigrant families and transnational parenting.
  5. Family Well-being and Resilience:
    Studies on factors that contribute to family well-being, including mental health, coping strategies during crises, and the effects of family structure on individual and collective resilience.
The Journal of Family Studies has seen a rise in interest in several emerging themes that reflect contemporary societal changes and challenges. This section outlines these trending areas, highlighting their relevance and potential impact on future research and policy.
  1. Diverse Family Forms and Dynamics:
    Increased attention to diverse family structures, including LGBTQ+ families, single-parent households, and blended families, reflecting broader societal changes and the need for inclusive family research.
  2. Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Family Life:
    Growing focus on how socioeconomic status affects family dynamics, parenting practices, and access to resources, particularly in the context of economic crises and global challenges.
  3. Mental Health and Family Resilience:
    A rising interest in the mental health implications of family dynamics, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of resilience and coping strategies.
  4. Transnational and Migrant Families:
    An emerging trend in exploring the experiences of transnational families and the unique challenges they face, including issues related to migration, cultural integration, and caregiving across borders.
  5. Gender Equality and Parenting:
    Increased research on gender roles in parenting, with a focus on how evolving gender norms affect family responsibilities and the division of labor within households.

Declining or Waning

While the Journal of Family Studies has consistently covered a broad range of topics, certain themes appear to be declining in prominence as the journal evolves. This section highlights these waning themes, indicating a shift in focus toward emerging areas of interest.
  1. Traditional Family Structures:
    There is a noticeable decline in research focusing exclusively on traditional family structures, such as nuclear families, as the journal increasingly emphasizes diverse family forms, including single-parent, blended, and LGBTQ+ families.
  2. Historical Perspectives on Family:
    Research that primarily examines historical family structures and practices has become less frequent, with the journal shifting toward contemporary issues and current challenges faced by families.
  3. Rigid Gender Roles in Parenting:
    Studies that reinforce rigid gender roles in parenting are decreasing, reflecting a broader acceptance and exploration of diverse gender identities and parenting practices.
  4. Focus on Child Development in Isolation:
    The emphasis on child development research conducted in isolation from familial and contextual influences is waning, as the journal increasingly incorporates a holistic view of child development within family systems.

Similar Journals

JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE FAMILY STUDIES

Charting New Territories in Family Research and Analysis
Publisher: UNIV TORONTO PRESS INCISSN: 0047-2328Frequency: 4 issues/year

JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE FAMILY STUDIES is a premier academic journal published by University of Toronto Press Inc. Since its inception in 1973, the journal has established a significant presence in the fields of anthropology, sociology, and social psychology, earning a distinguished Q1 categorization in anthropology and positioning itself within the top ranks across various social sciences disciplines. With a focus on comparative analyses of family structures and dynamics, this journal serves as an essential resource for researchers, professionals, and students interested in understanding familial complexities across cultures and societies. Although it is not an open-access journal, the quality of research published is paramount, with Scopus rankings placing it in the 83rd percentile for anthropology. The journal aims to foster scholarly dialogue and advance knowledge, making it a vital platform for those devoted to the study of family systems. Its dedication to rigorous research reflects the importance of family relationships in broad social contexts, affirming its relevance in contemporary academic discourse.

Community Work & Family

Unveiling Innovations at the Intersection of Society and Family
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTDISSN: 1366-8803Frequency: 5 issues/year

Community Work & Family is a premier interdisciplinary journal published by Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, located in the United Kingdom. Since its inception in 2003, this journal has focused on the interplay between community engagement, familial dynamics, and societal development. With an impressive impact factor and consistently ranking in the Q1 category in Development, Social Sciences, and Sociology and Political Science, Community Work & Family stands out in its commitment to advancing knowledge in these critical fields. The journal is indexed in Scopus, reflecting its high visibility and contribution to the academic discourse, particularly within the social sciences. Although it does not currently offer open access, the journal provides valuable insights for researchers, professionals, and students eager to explore the challenges and innovations of community and family work. As it looks toward its convergence into 2024, the journal continues to attract high-quality research that informs policy and practice worldwide.

Journal of Child and Family Studies

Transforming Insights into Action for Children and Families
Publisher: SPRINGERISSN: 1062-1024Frequency: 6 issues/year

Welcome to the Journal of Child and Family Studies, a prominent academic platform published by Springer that delves into the intricate interrelations of child development and familial dynamics. Established in 1992 and continually evolving, this journal has become a vital resource for researchers, practitioners, and students engaged in Developmental and Educational Psychology as well as Life-span and Life-course Studies. With a solid categorization in the Q2 quartile for both fields as of 2023, the journal holds a noteworthy Scopus ranking, emphasizing its relevance and impact within the social sciences. Although the journal is not open access, it provides invaluable insights, empirical studies, and theoretical discussions, contributing significantly to the understanding of children's needs and family systems across various contexts. Positioned in the heart of New York City, the Journal of Child and Family Studies continues to influence policy-making and educational practices by disseminating innovative research that addresses the complexities of child and family life.

Canadian Journal of Family and Youth

Unlocking insights into the lives of families and youth.
Publisher: UNIV ALBERTA LIBRARIESISSN: Frequency: 3 issues/year

Canadian Journal of Family and Youth, published by University of Alberta Libraries, is a leading scholarly platform dedicated to advancing research and discussion in the fields of family studies and youth development. With its commitment to Open Access, this journal aims to disseminate knowledge without barriers, ensuring that vital research reaches diverse audiences including academics, practitioners, and policymakers. The journal encompasses a wide range of topics relevant to contemporary family dynamics and youth-related issues, promoting interdisciplinary dialogues and innovative methodologies. Located in the vibrant academic community of Edmonton, Alberta, the journal contributes significantly to its field by showcasing high-quality, peer-reviewed articles that address the complexities of family and youth experiences in Canada and beyond. With continuous efforts to uphold rigorous academic standards, the Canadian Journal of Family and Youth serves as an invaluable resource for those invested in the welfare and development of families and youth.

Child & Family Social Work

Connecting research to real-world solutions for families.
Publisher: WILEYISSN: 1356-7500Frequency: 4 issues/year

Child & Family Social Work is a prominent journal published by WILEY that focuses on the intersection of social work and child welfare. With a commitment to advancing the field through rigorous research and evidence-based practice, it serves as a critical platform for disseminating findings and fostering discussions among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The journal holds a respectable impact factor and has achieved significant recognition, ranked in the Q2 category for both Health (social science) and Social Work, as well as Q1 in Sociology and Political Science in 2023. Its broad scope encompasses the complexities of social work with children and families across various contexts, ensuring it remains an essential resource for those dedicated to improving outcomes for vulnerable populations. Although the journal offers traditional access options, it retains its high standards of quality and relevance, making it a vital asset for anyone invested in the fields of social science and child welfare.

JOURNAL OF FAMILY ISSUES

Unraveling the Intricacies of Family Dynamics
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INCISSN: 0192-513XFrequency: 14 issues/year

JOURNAL OF FAMILY ISSUES, published by SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC, is a leading academic journal in the field of social sciences, specifically focusing on the complexities and dynamics of family structures, relationships, and issues faced by families today. With its ISSN 0192-513X and E-ISSN 1552-5481, this esteemed journal serves as a vital resource for researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers aiming to advance the understanding of family life in contemporary contexts. Since its inception in 1980, the JOURNAL OF FAMILY ISSUES has garnered a remarkable reputation, currently ranking Q1 in the 2023 category of Social Sciences (miscellaneous) and placing in the top 82nd percentile among its peer journals in the Scopus database. The journal is not open access, ensuring a rigorous peer-review process that upholds the highest standards of academic scholarship. With a comprehensive range of articles and research findings, it aims to foster dialogue and disseminate knowledge on critical family issues, making it indispensable for those dedicated to the study and advocacy of family-related topics.

Family Court Review

Transforming family welfare through rigorous research.
Publisher: WILEYISSN: 1531-2445Frequency: 4 issues/year

Family Court Review is a distinguished academic journal published by WILEY, focusing on pivotal issues within the field of family law. Since its inception in 1996, the journal has served as a vital resource for legal scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, disseminating cutting-edge research that addresses contemporary challenges in family courts and child welfare systems. With an impressive impact factor and a ranking in the top 30% of law journals as per Scopus, it is categorized within Q2 in Law for 2023, highlighting its significant influence and scholarly output. Although it does not offer open access options, the journal's rich repository of knowledge is indispensable for anyone engaged in the legal landscape surrounding family matters. The Family Court Review engages with a variety of interdisciplinary studies and theoretical discussions, making it an essential platform for advancing knowledge and shaping practices in family law.

CHILD CARE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Championing the well-being of children worldwide.
Publisher: WILEYISSN: 0305-1862Frequency: 6 issues/year

Child Care Health and Development is a prestigious journal published by Wiley, dedicated to advancing the fields of child health and developmental psychology. With a rich publication history spanning from 1975 to 2024, this journal holds significant influence and credibility, illustrated by its impressive ranking in diverse categories such as Q1 in Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health and Q2 in Developmental and Educational Psychology as of 2023. The journal serves as an essential platform for researchers, practitioners, and students, promoting interdisciplinary studies that address pressing issues in child care, health, and development. While currently not an open-access journal, it still provides critical insights into public health and environmental factors affecting children, evidenced by its Scopus rankings. The journal is published in the United Kingdom and continues to impact the academic community by fostering knowledge dissemination and supporting practices that enhance the welfare of children globally.

History of the Family

Illuminating Family Histories for a Deeper Sociological Insight
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTDISSN: 1081-602XFrequency: 4 issues/year

History of the Family, published by Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, is a leading academic journal that provides a critical platform for scholarly discourse in the field of family history. With an ISSN of 1081-602X and an e-ISSN of 1873-5398, this journal has effectively converged its influential research from 1996 to 2024, making it a longstanding resource for historians, sociologists, and social scientists dedicated to understanding familial structures and their evolution across cultures and periods. Recognized for its academic rigor, History of the Family features a Q1 quartile classification in History and ranks impressively within the top percentiles in various related fields, including the 95th percentile in Arts and Humanities - History. While not an Open Access journal, it maintains robust access options for institutions and researchers alike. Readers can expect high-quality articles that contribute to the critical analysis of family dynamics, making it essential reading for anyone engaged in historical and social science research.

FAMILY RELATIONS

Transforming Perspectives on Family Relationships
Publisher: WILEYISSN: 0197-6664Frequency: 5 issues/year

Family Relations, published by WILEY, is a leading journal dedicated to advancing the understanding of family dynamics and relationships within the fields of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Education, Social Sciences, and Social Work. With an impressive impact factor, this journal ranks in the top quartiles across multiple categories, including being placed in Q1 for both Education and Social Work and Q2 for Developmental and Educational Psychology in 2023. Established in 1981 and converged from 1996 to 2024, Family Relations has a rich history of publishing rigorous research that informs both academic and practical applications in education and social services. Although not an open access journal, it remains highly regarded with robust Scopus rankings, emphasizing its significance in shaping policies and practices relevant to modern families. The editorial team invites researchers, professionals, and students to contribute valuable insights that will foster a deeper understanding of the complexities of family life.