Call for Papers — Journal of Multicultural Adolescent Psychology
Journal of Multicultural Adolescent Psychology (JMAP)
Special Issue: Developmental Determinants of Adolescent Well-Being: A Multicultural Examination
Overview
The Journal of Multicultural Adolescent Psychology (JMAP) invites submissions for a special issue focused on the developmental determinants of adolescent well-being across diverse cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and global contexts. We seek rigorous empirical studies, mixed-methods work, systematic reviews, and translational scholarship that examine how culture, identity, social position, and environments shape mental, emotional, behavioral, academic, and social outcomes during adolescence.
We especially welcome research centering historically underserved or marginalized youth, community-engaged methods, cross-cultural comparisons, program and policy evaluations, and practice-relevant contributions that inform schools, clinics, juvenile justice, and community systems.
Important Dates (Target Timeline)
| Milestone | Date (America/Chicago) |
|---|---|
| Abstract/Letter of Intent (optional but encouraged) | January 15, 2026 |
| Full Manuscript Submission Deadline | March 15, 2026 |
| Initial Decision Notifications | May 15, 2026 |
| Revised Manuscript Due (if invited) | June 30, 2026 |
| Final Decisions | August 15, 2026 |
| Target Publication (online first) | Fall 2026 |
Rolling review: submissions may be considered before the deadline; earlier submissions may receive earlier decisions.
Scope & Priority Topics
Submissions should engage adolescence through multicultural, contextual, or developmental psychology lenses. Priority topics include (not exhaustive):
- Developmental, sociocultural, and contextual determinants of mental health and well-being
- Cultural identity development and intersectionality (race, ethnicity, gender identity, neurodivergence, SES, immigration/refugee status, faith)
- Trauma, adversity, resilience, and post-traumatic growth among adolescents
- Family, peer, school, and community influences on belonging, achievement, and health
- Juvenile justice involvement, diversion, re-entry, and community reintegration
- Cross-cultural or international research; cultural adaptation and validation of measures
- Evidence-based or practice-based interventions; implementation and scale-up in diverse settings
- Program evaluation, policy implications, and systemic change for equity
- Technology, social media, digital identity, and online safety for multicultural youth
- Global health, migration, displacement, and acculturation in adolescent development
Article Types & Length
- Original Empirical Article (6,000–8,000 words, excluding references/appendices)
- Mixed-Methods Article (6,500–8,500 words)
- Systematic Review / Meta-analysis (6,000–9,000 words)
- Theoretical / Conceptual Paper (5,000–7,000 words)
- Brief Report (2,500–3,500 words)
- Practice & Policy Case Study (3,500–5,000 words)
Word counts are guidelines; justify deviations in your cover letter where scholarly necessity warrants.
Submission Preparation
- Follow APA 7th edition style; include structured abstract (≤ 250 words) and 3–6 keywords.
- Ensure blinded manuscript for double-anonymous review; upload a separate title page with author details and acknowledgments.
- Provide de-identified data availability statement and materials/code access, as appropriate.
- For human participants (especially minors), include IRB/ethics approval details and consent/assent procedures.
- Report measure validation/translation for cross-cultural studies; describe sampling frames clearly.
- Pre-registration encouraged for trials and prospectively designed studies; include registry and protocol link/DOI.
- Disclose funding sources and all author conflicts of interest.
- If using AI tools (e.g., generative text/figures), disclose usage; authors retain full responsibility.
Reporting & Ethics
- Use relevant reporting standards (e.g., CONSORT, PRISMA, STROBE, COREQ).
- Adhere to JMAP’s Publication Ethics Statement and policies on authorship, data integrity, and transparency.
- Protect confidentiality; avoid identifiable images/data of minors without explicit consent.
- For justice-involved or school-based research, address FERPA/HIPAA or analogous regulations and site approvals.
- Image/figure integrity: disclose composites/adjustments in captions; avoid manipulations that mislead.
Peer Review
Submissions undergo double-anonymous peer review with at least two expert reviewers and an associate editor. Editors may use plagiarism and image-screening tools. JMAP practices constructive, timely review to advance rigorous, culturally responsive science.
How to Submit
Submit manuscripts through our online system. Select the article type and choose the collection: Special Issue: Developmental Determinants.
Questions about fit or methods? Email the Special Issue Editors at editor@jmap-journal.org.
Policies & Open Science
- Publication Ethics Statement — authorship, conflicts, human-subjects protections, data integrity.
- Open Science: data/materials/code sharing encouraged when ethically and legally permissible.
- Preprints welcomed; disclose server and version in the cover letter.
- Registered Reports proposals may be considered for this special issue; inquire with the editors.
Is My Paper a Fit?
Strong candidate papers: (a) explicitly theorize or test developmental determinants; (b) engage multicultural or cross-cultural perspectives beyond demographic controls; (c) demonstrate methodological rigor and ethical safeguards for minors; and (d) articulate practice or policy implications.