SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Scope & Guideline

Transforming discourse on critical social problems through empirical study.

Introduction

Welcome to the SOCIAL PROBLEMS 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 SOCIAL PROBLEMS, 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
ISSN0037-7791
PublisherOXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Converge1973, 1975, from 1977 to 1979, 1982, 1984, from 1989 to 1990, 1993, from 1995 to 2024
AbbreviationSOC PROBL / Soc. Probl.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressJOURNALS DEPT, 2001 EVANS RD, CARY, NC 27513

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Social Problems' focuses on the examination of social issues through a critical and interdisciplinary lens, emphasizing the implications of race, ethnicity, and other intersecting identities. It aims to highlight disparities and inequalities within societal structures and advocate for social justice through empirical research and theoretical analysis.
  1. Racial and Ethnic Inequalities:
    The journal frequently explores the impact of race and ethnicity on various social outcomes, including health, education, and criminal justice, revealing systemic biases and societal disparities.
  2. Social Justice and Advocacy:
    A core aim is to advocate for social justice by addressing issues such as discrimination, policing, and public policy. The journal seeks to inform and influence social change through its findings.
  3. Cultural and Social Identity:
    Research often focuses on cultural socialization and identity formation, particularly in multiracial communities, examining how these factors influence individual and group experiences.
  4. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal employs a variety of methodologies and theoretical frameworks, integrating perspectives from sociology, psychology, public health, and law to address complex social problems.
  5. Community and Belonging:
    Studies often investigate the role of community belongingness and its effects on mental health and well-being among marginalized groups, highlighting the importance of social support.
Recent publications in 'Social Problems' indicate a dynamic evolution in research themes, with emerging topics gaining prominence. This section outlines these trending and emerging scopes, reflecting the journal's responsiveness to contemporary social issues.
  1. Intersectionality and Multiraciality:
    An increasing focus on intersectionality, particularly regarding multiracial identities and experiences, is evident. This trend highlights the complexities of identity within social dynamics and the need for nuanced understandings of race.
  2. Impact of COVID-19 on Racial Disparities:
    The pandemic has catalyzed research on its disproportionate effects on marginalized communities, exploring health outcomes, economic challenges, and social inequalities exacerbated by the crisis.
  3. Racial Trauma and Mental Health:
    Emerging studies emphasize the psychological impacts of racial discrimination, particularly among Black and Latinx populations, indicating a growing recognition of mental health as a critical area of concern.
  4. Anti-Racism and Activism:
    Research focusing on anti-racism efforts, community activism, and the motivations behind social movements is on the rise, reflecting a broader societal engagement with issues of racial justice.
  5. Cultural Appropriation and Identity:
    Increasing attention to cultural appropriation and its implications for identity and social justice showcases a trend towards understanding cultural dynamics in the context of race and power.

Declining or Waning

While 'Social Problems' continues to cover a broad array of topics, certain themes appear to be receiving less attention in recent publications. This section highlights these waning scopes, indicating shifts in focus within the journal's research landscape.
  1. Traditional Crime and Deviance Studies:
    Research focusing on conventional crime and deviance, particularly in non-racial contexts, seems to be declining as the journal shifts towards more nuanced discussions of systemic issues and their racial implications.
  2. Generalized Health Disparities:
    While health disparities remain a topic, there is a noticeable reduction in studies addressing health issues without a racial or ethnic lens, signaling a move towards more intersectional analyses.
  3. Historical Perspectives:
    The exploration of historical contexts, such as the legacy of slavery or colonialism without direct connections to current social dynamics, appears to be less prevalent, indicating a shift towards contemporary issues.
  4. Single-Dimensional Identity Studies:
    Research that examines social issues from a single identity perspective (e.g., race alone) is waning, as the journal increasingly emphasizes intersectionality and the complexities of overlapping identities.
  5. Non-Racialized Economic Studies:
    Studies that address economic issues without connecting them to racial or ethnic disparities are becoming less common, as the journal prioritizes discussions that highlight the intersection of race and socioeconomic factors.

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