Mental Health and Physical Activity
Scope & Guideline
Fostering Connections Between Physical Activity and Mental Health
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Interdisciplinary Research:
The journal encourages interdisciplinary studies that integrate psychology, psychiatry, exercise science, and public health to understand the multifaceted impact of physical activity on mental health. - Intervention Studies:
Emphasis on research that evaluates physical activity interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes in various populations, including those with mental health disorders, children, and the elderly. - Population-Specific Analyses:
Focus on specific populations, such as individuals with substance use disorders, military veterans, and youth, to explore tailored physical activity interventions and their psychological impacts. - Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Studies:
Support for both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies that examine the bidirectional relationships between mental health and physical activity patterns over time. - Mechanistic Insights:
Encouragement of research that investigates the neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms through which physical activity influences mental health.
Trending and Emerging
- Holistic Movement Practices:
Increasing interest in holistic movement practices, such as yoga and tai chi, as effective interventions for mental health issues, indicating a shift towards more integrative approaches to physical activity. - Digital and Remote Interventions:
The rise in studies evaluating the effectiveness of digital platforms and remote interventions for promoting physical activity among various populations, especially during and post-COVID-19. - Psychosocial Mechanisms:
Growing focus on understanding the psychosocial mechanisms behind the relationship between physical activity and mental health, including self-efficacy, social support, and community engagement. - Youth and Mental Health:
A notable increase in research targeting youth populations, exploring how physical activity influences mental health during critical developmental stages. - Substance Use and Recovery:
Emerging studies investigating the role of physical activity in recovery from substance use disorders, highlighting its potential as a complementary therapy.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Exercise Models:
Research focusing solely on traditional exercise modalities, such as aerobic or resistance training, without considering broader lifestyle factors or holistic approaches is appearing less frequently. - Generalized Mental Health Outcomes:
Studies that broadly address mental health outcomes without specific focus on how different types of physical activity impact distinct mental health conditions are declining. - Sedentary Behavior Alone:
Investigations that concentrate solely on sedentary behavior without linking it to physical activity or mental health outcomes seem to be diminishing, as the field shifts toward a more integrated view. - Single-Factor Analyses:
Research that examines only a single factor (such as physical activity or mental health) without considering confounding variables or interactions with other lifestyle factors is becoming less common. - Populations Neglected in Research:
There is a noticeable decline in studies focused on less-researched populations, such as older adults or specific ethnic groups, possibly due to a shift towards more universally applicable findings.
Similar Journals
Annals of Clinical Psychiatry
Fostering Insightful Dialogue in Psychiatry.Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, published by QUADRANT HEALTHCOM INC, is a leading journal in the fields of Medicine and Psychiatry & Mental Health. With its longstanding commitment to advancing clinical knowledge since 1989, this esteemed journal contributes invaluable insights into current psychiatric practices and mental health research. The journal is recognized in the Scopus ranking with a position in the 34th percentile, reflective of its focused scope and substantial academic contributions. While access to the journal is tailored for professionals and researchers, the absence of Open Access highlights the journal's dedication to maintaining quality and rigorous peer-reviewed standards. As part of the Q3 quartile for both Medicine and Psychiatry categories in 2023, Annals of Clinical Psychiatry serves as an essential resource for those dedicated to improving mental health outcomes, making it a vital platform for practitioners, researchers, and students alike. Situated in Parsippany, New Jersey, the journal remains a pivotal entity that fosters scholarly dialogue and exploration in clinical psychiatry.
Sport Exercise and Performance Psychology
Bridging Psychology and Physical AchievementSport Exercise and Performance Psychology, published by the Educational Publishing Foundation in collaboration with the American Psychological Association, serves as a leading journal in the realm of applied psychology, focusing on the psychological aspects of sports and exercise. With a strong reputation, this journal features prominent rankings in several categories, including Q2 in Applied Psychology and Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, as well as Social Psychology. It boasts impressive Scopus rankings, including a 79th percentile in Physical Therapy, indicating its crucial role in advancing research and understanding of mental performance in athletic and exercise contexts. Though currently not open access, the journal offers valuable insights for researchers, professionals, and students interested in the intersection of psychology, sport, and exercise science, fostering a deeper comprehension of psychological strategies and their application to enhance athletic performance. Upholding rigorous academic standards, Sport Exercise and Performance Psychology continues to contribute significantly to the body of knowledge from 2013 through 2024 and beyond.
MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY
Innovating approaches to resilience in armed forces.MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY is a premier journal dedicated to advancing the understanding of psychological principles as they apply to military settings and contexts. Published by ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, this esteemed journal has been at the forefront of military psychological research since its inception in 1990. With an ISSN of 0899-5605 and E-ISSN 1532-7876, it serves as a valuable resource for researchers, professionals, and students alike. The journal is classified in the Q3 quartile for both Experimental and Cognitive Psychology and Psychology (miscellaneous) in 2023, highlighting its significance in the broader psychological landscape. Additionally, it holds a commendable ranking within the social sciences, underscoring its relevance and influence in understanding psychological dynamics within military environments. Although it currently does not offer open access, the journal provides a wealth of insights into critical topics such as stress and resilience, operational effectiveness, and the mental well-being of service personnel, making it an essential read for anyone engaged in this pivotal field of study.
PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE
Elevating Performance Through Psychological ResearchPsychology of Sport and Exercise, published by Elsevier, is a leading academic journal in the fields of applied psychology and sports science. With its ISSN 1469-0292 and E-ISSN 1878-5476, the journal has established a strong foothold in the Netherlands, specifically from its address at RADARWEG 29, 1043 NX AMSTERDAM. The journal is recognized for its high impact, currently holding a Q2 ranking in Applied Psychology and a prestigious Q1 ranking in Sports Science as of 2023. It is positioned in the 74th percentile among applied psychology journals per Scopus rankings, demonstrating its influence and relevance in current research. Aimed at researchers, professionals, and students alike, the journal offers a comprehensive platform for the dissemination of innovative research findings, theoretical discussions, and practical applications related to the psychological aspects of sports participation and physical activity. By focusing on the intersection of psychological principles and exercise behaviors, Psychology of Sport and Exercise plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of how mental processes influence physical performance, making it an invaluable resource for those dedicated to enhancing well-being through sport and exercise.
Bewegungstherapie und Gesundheitssport
Exploring the Synergy of Exercise and RehabilitationBewegungstherapie und Gesundheitssport, published by GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG, is a distinguished journal primarily focused on the fields of movement therapy, health sports, and rehabilitation sciences. With a commitment to fostering knowledge dissemination and innovation in promoting physical health and well-being, this journal serves as a vital resource for researchers, health professionals, and students interested in the intersection of exercise and therapy. While currently not offering an open access model, it maintains a robust impact on academic discourse, supported by rigorous peer-reviewed research that spans diverse methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches. The journal invites high-quality contributions that explore the efficacy of movement therapies, the impact of physical activity on health disorders, and emerging trends in health promotion strategies, thereby enhancing the understanding of physical well-being's role in society.
SALUD MENTAL
Shaping the future of mental health through rigorous research.SALUD MENTAL is a distinguished academic journal published by the Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico, focusing on the ever-evolving fields of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry and Mental Health. With an ISSN of 0185-3325 and a history of publication dating back to 1995, this journal serves as a pivotal platform for the dissemination of research, innovative practices, and advancements in mental health care. Despite its classification within Q3 quartiles in 2023 for both Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry and Mental Health, SALUD MENTAL continues to strive for excellence, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and contributions that enrich the understanding of mental health phenomena. Researchers, professionals, and students will benefit from its insightful articles and studies, which address pressing issues in the field, making it an essential resource for those dedicated to improving psychological and psychiatric practices in Mexico and beyond.
Health Psychology Open
Empowering Health through Psychological Insights.Health Psychology Open is a premier open-access journal published by SAGE Publications Ltd that focuses on the intricate relationships between psychological processes and physical health. Launched in 2014, the journal has rapidly established itself as a vital resource for researchers, clinicians, and students in the fields of clinical psychology and psychiatry, evidenced by its strong rankings in Scopus—62nd in Clinical Psychology and 156th in Psychiatry and Mental Health. With an impact factor reflective of its commitment to high-quality research, and categorized in the Q2 quartile for both disciplines in 2023, Health Psychology Open serves as a platform for innovative studies that advance our understanding of health behaviors and their psychological determinants. As an open-access journal, it promotes widespread dissemination of knowledge, making cutting-edge findings accessible to a global audience, thus fostering a collaborative environment for ongoing research and application in health psychology.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
Pioneering Research for a Healthier TomorrowADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS is a prestigious journal published by PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, specializing in the critical examination and exploration of addiction-related issues across diverse fields including Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry and Mental Health, and Toxicology. With a robust history dating back to 1975 and convergence extending to 2024, the journal is esteemed for its rigorous peer-reviewed research that contributes significantly to understanding addiction phenomena. Ranked in the Q1 category for its focus areas, it stands out within the academic community, evidenced by its impressive Scopus rankings—25th in Clinical Psychology and 14th in Toxicology—placing it in the top tier of its disciplines. This journal offers valuable insights into addiction behaviors, treatment methodologies, and public health implications, making it an essential resource for researchers, practitioners, and students seeking to advance their knowledge and impact the field. Although not Open Access, it provides vital access options for institutions and individuals invested in addiction studies.
International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Innovating the Intersection of Psychology and SportsInternational Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology is a leading academic publication dedicated to advancing the understanding of psychological aspects of sport and exercise. Published by Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd in the United Kingdom, this journal holds an esteemed position in the field, evidenced by its impressive Q2 categorization in Applied Psychology, Social Psychology, and Sports Science as of 2023. The journal features high-quality research that contributes significantly to the disciplines it covers, as reflected in its notable Scopus rankings, with Psychology - Social Psychology ranked #38/310 (87th percentile) and Psychology - Applied Psychology ranked #52/249 (79th percentile). With an emphasis on fostering knowledge and dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and students, the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology serves as a crucial platform for disseminating critical insights and innovative findings in the realm of psychological research pertaining to sports and physical activity. By remaining at the forefront of contemporary psychological investigation, this journal not only enhances academic rigor but also supports the practical application of psychological principles to improve athletic performance and general well-being.
BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
Advancing understanding, shaping interventions.BEHAVIOUR CHANGE is a leading journal published by Cambridge University Press, dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in the domains of clinical psychology and experimental and cognitive psychology. Since its inception in 1984, the journal has established itself as a vital resource for researchers and practitioners, focusing on innovative strategies and empirical research aimed at promoting effective behavior change. With an impact factor that places it in the prestigious Q2 quartile within both fields, it serves as a platform for rigorous studies that explore psychological principles and their applications in real-world contexts. The journal is accessible to an international audience, contributing significantly to the understanding of human behavior and the development of interventions that improve mental health outcomes. Located in the United Kingdom, at Edinburgh Building, Shaftesbury Rd, CB2 8RU Cambridge, England, BEHAVIOUR CHANGE continues to publish high-quality research that not only informs academic discourse but also enhances practical approaches to behavior modification and psychological well-being.