Journal Submission Guidelines and Policies for Authors
The Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health (JOPPPAH) is an international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to publishing manuscripts that advance theoretical understanding and empirical insights. JOPPPAH welcomes contributions from diverse sources, including clinical practice, qualitative and quantitative research, case studies, literature reviews, and unique perspectives.
Key areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
Psychological Factors across Conception, Pregnancy, Labor, Birth, and Postpartum: Investigating the psychological dimensions at each stage of the reproductive journey.
Maternal and Fetal Health: Exploring the influence of maternal health, lifestyle, and environmental factors on fetal development.
Childbirth and Perinatal Care: Examining various childbirth practices, models of perinatal care, and their impacts on maternal and infant well-being.
Parent-Child Bonding and Attachment: Studying the early relationship dynamics between parents and infants, identifying factors conducive to healthy bonding and attachment.
Trauma and Stress during Pregnancy: Analyzing the psychological repercussions of traumatic events or chronic stress on both the pregnant individual and fetal development.
Interventions and Support: Evaluating interventions and support systems aimed at fostering positive mental health and well-being during the prenatal and perinatal periods.
Developmental Outcomes: Researching the enduring effects of prenatal and perinatal experiences on child development, behavior, and overall health.
Reciprocal Interaction Mechanisms: Understanding the dynamics between the pregnant individual and unborn child, as well as between the birthing person and newborn.
Influence of Family, Society, and Environment: Exploring the impact of familial, societal, and environmental factors during pregnancy and postpartum.
Evidence-Based Measures: Implementing evidence-based strategies to enhance the well-being of parents, birthing individuals, and infants.
Effects of Medical Technology: Assessing the psychological and physiological impacts of medical interventions on all involved parties during conception, pregnancy, labor, and birth.
Prevention and Intervention/Resolution of Prenatal and Perinatal Trauma: Exploring methods to prevent and address prenatal and perinatal traumas in both children and adults.
Interdisciplinary Interfaces: Investigating intersections between prenatal and perinatal psychology and fields such as medicine, genetics, developmental psychology, anthropology, ethics, and law.
Manuscripts
Originality and Exclusivity: JOPPPAH accepts original material not concurrently under consideration by any other publications. Exceptions to exclusivity may be considered for translated manuscripts or outstanding articles previously published online.
Submission Format: Manuscripts should be submitted as a Word document using the JOPPPAH submission form.
Language and Style: Submissions should be written in American English (see Merriam-Webster Dictionary) and adhere to APA 7 style guidelines in the APA Publication Manual (2020). The editor reserves the right to edit for length, clarity, and conformity with the journal’s style.
Length: Articles should range between 1,500 and 3,000 words, while original research submissions can extend up to 5,000 words. Each submission should include an abstract of 100-250 words and a list of at least three keywords. Submissions exceeding these limits must be condensed before acceptance, potentially delaying publication.
Author Information: Include a 50-100 word brief bio (total for all authors) and complete contact information for all authors. Researchers should include ORCID IDs.
In-text Citations, Formatting, and Referencing: Manuscripts must follow APA style for in-text citations, formatting, and referencing. Visit apastyle.apa.org for more information.
Illustrations, Figures, and Tables
Embed Tables in Word Document: All illustrations and tables should be submitted in the appropriate location within the manuscript and referenced within the text. Tables must supplement the text without duplicating it.
Identification: Illustrations and tables should be identified in Arabic numerals per APA 7 guidelines. Visit owl.purdue.edu for a helpful guide.
Format and Submission: Refer to the APA publication manual for detailed instructions on tables and figures. Figures and images should be in a print-quality JPG or PNG file format (e.g., 300 dpi), considering the finished journal page size is 6×9 inches. Tables must be formatted as a Word table.
Copyright Permissions: Authors should obtain necessary permissions for any copyrighted material used in their illustrations, figures, or tables and provide proper attribution as required.
Other Requirements
Author Contributions: Credited authors must have contributed significantly to the research or manuscript.
Diversity and Inclusion: Authors should consider diversity and inclusion in their research, including diverse participant populations and exploring cultural influences on prenatal and perinatal psychology and health.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Authors are encouraged to consider how their work intersects with other fields within psychology and health.
Research Transparency: Authors should provide detailed descriptions of their research methods to enhance transparency and reproducibility. Visit equator-network.org for reporting guidelines.
Ethical Considerations
Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest during the writing, peer review, and editorial decision-making processes.
Informed Consent: Authors must obtain written consent from patients or their guardians before publishing any identifying information, including names, initials, or hospital numbers.
Confidentiality: Authors must ensure the confidentiality of sensitive information.
Human and Animal Rights: Authors conducting experiments involving human subjects must adhere to ethical standards set by institutional and national committees on human experimentation and the Helsinki Declaration. Similarly, authors conducting experiments on animals must adhere to institutional and national guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals.
Funding: Authors must disclose funding sources or financial support.
By upholding these policies, JOPPPAH reaffirms its commitment to scientific integrity, patient privacy, and ethical research conduct, thereby maintaining public trust in the journal and advancing the field of prenatal and perinatal psychology and health.