Journal of Women's Mental Health

Journal of Women's Mental Health

Journal of Women's Mental Health – About

Open Access & Peer-Reviewed

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About the Journal of Women's Mental Health

Advancing behavioral science research on psychological mechanisms, cognitive processes, and social factors influencing women's mental health across the lifespan.

A Behavioral Science Platform for Women's Mental Health Research

The Journal of Women's Mental Health (JWMH) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to publishing rigorous behavioral science research addressing the unique psychological, social, and biological factors that shape women's mental health. As a specialized platform within the behavioral sciences discipline, JWMH provides a scholarly forum for researchers investigating cognitive mechanisms, behavioral patterns, psychosocial determinants, and measurement methodologies specific to women's mental health phenomena.

Our editorial mission emphasizes scientific understanding over clinical practice - focusing on behavioral theory development, psychological measurement, cognitive assessment, and evidence synthesis that advances the field's knowledge base. JWMH serves behavioral scientists, psychologists, epidemiologists, and public health researchers who investigate women's mental health from an empirical, observation-focused perspective.

Every manuscript undergoes rigorous peer review to ensure methodological quality, theoretical contribution, and alignment with behavioral science standards. Published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license, all research is freely accessible globally, accelerating knowledge dissemination and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

42% Acceptance Rate
30 Days Submission to Acceptance
12 Days Average First Decision
2 Days Acceptance to Publication
Scope: Behavioral Science Approaches to Women's Mental Health

JWMH publishes empirical research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, measurement validation studies, and theoretical frameworks that illuminate psychological mechanisms and behavioral patterns relevant to women's mental health. Our scope intentionally focuses on understanding behavior and cognition scientifically rather than clinical treatment protocols or therapeutic interventions.

Psychological Mechanisms & Cognitive Processes

Research examining cognitive patterns, emotional regulation, attention and memory, decision-making processes, and psychological constructs specific to women's mental health phenomena across developmental stages.

Behavioral Measurement & Assessment

Psychometric validation studies, scale development, assessment methodology, behavioral observation techniques, and measurement invariance research for women's mental health constructs.

Psychosocial & Cultural Determinants

Investigation of social behavior, interpersonal dynamics, cultural influences, gender role expectations, social support networks, and environmental factors shaping women's psychological well-being.

Life Transition & Developmental Psychology

Behavioral research on puberty, reproductive transitions, motherhood identity, career development, aging processes, and psychological adaptation across women's lifespan stages.

Health Behavior & Risk Factors

Behavioral epidemiology studies examining psychological risk factors, protective factors, health behavior patterns, stress response mechanisms, and coping strategies in women's populations.

Social & Behavioral Epidemiology

Population-level research on mental health prevalence, incidence patterns, behavioral correlates, sociodemographic determinants, and longitudinal trajectory studies in women's mental health.

Scope Boundary Guidance: JWMH focuses on behavioral science research that generates knowledge about psychological mechanisms, measurement methods, and social behavior patterns. We do not publish clinical therapy protocols, treatment outcome studies focused solely on therapeutic efficacy, diagnostic algorithms, or intervention manuals. Research examining behavioral components of interventions from a mechanistic perspective (e.g., "how does cognitive restructuring change thought patterns?") is within scope; purely clinical efficacy studies are not.
Why Behavioral Scientists Choose JWMH

JWMH provides a dedicated publishing home for researchers whose work advances theoretical understanding and empirical knowledge of women's mental health phenomena. Our editorial framework supports rigorous behavioral science methodology while maintaining rapid publication timelines and global accessibility.

  • Specialized focus on behavioral science approaches ensures manuscript review by experts who understand psychological research methodologies, measurement theory, and cognitive assessment paradigms.
  • Open-access publication model guarantees that your research reaches academic libraries, behavioral science departments, public health institutions, and policy research organizations worldwide without paywalls.
  • Rapid review and publication process respects researchers' timelines, with initial decisions typically within 12 days and acceptance-to-publication within 2 days of final approval.
  • Interdisciplinary reviewer network spanning psychology, behavioral epidemiology, cognitive science, social psychology, and women's health research ensures comprehensive evaluation across methodological traditions.
  • Author-friendly editorial communication provides transparent feedback, clear revision guidance, and responsive support throughout the publication process.
Manuscript Review Process

JWMH employs a rigorous peer review process designed to evaluate methodological quality, theoretical contribution, and behavioral science alignment while providing constructive feedback that strengthens research dissemination.

1

Submission

Authors submit manuscripts via the online submission form, Manuscript Zone, or directly to [email protected] following journal formatting guidelines.

2

Initial Editorial Screening

The editorial office conducts scope assessment to ensure alignment with behavioral science focus, reviews ethical compliance documentation, and confirms adherence to formatting and reporting standards.

3

Peer Review Assignment

Manuscripts are assigned to expert reviewers with relevant methodological expertise, topical knowledge, and understanding of behavioral science research paradigms specific to women's mental health.

4

Expert Evaluation

Reviewers assess methodological rigor, theoretical contribution, statistical analysis quality, measurement validity, and significance to the behavioral science literature, providing detailed constructive feedback.

5

Editorial Decision

Based on reviewer recommendations and editorial assessment, manuscripts receive an acceptance, revision request, or rejection decision with clear rationale and actionable guidance.

6

Author Revision

Authors revise manuscripts addressing reviewer comments, providing point-by-point responses documenting changes made to strengthen methodological transparency and theoretical clarity.

7

Final Evaluation

Revised submissions undergo final editorial review to confirm adequate response to feedback and readiness for publication, typically completed within 7-10 days.

8

Publication & Dissemination

Accepted manuscripts are published online under open access, indexed in scholarly databases, and promoted through academic networks to maximize research visibility and impact.

Methodological Standards: JWMH follows behavioral science reporting guidelines including APA standards, STROBE for observational studies, and psychometric reporting standards for measurement research. Authors are encouraged to consult our detailed Instructions for Authors for discipline-specific requirements.
Editorial Leadership

JWMH's editorial board comprises established behavioral scientists, psychologists, and mental health researchers with expertise spanning cognitive psychology, social psychology, behavioral epidemiology, measurement science, and women's health research. Our editors bring diverse methodological perspectives and geographic representation to ensure balanced, rigorous evaluation of submitted research.

Josep Cañete Crespillo
Mental Health and Addictions, Mataró
Inês Macamo Raimundo
University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Hourieh Shamshiri Milani
Shahid Beheshti University

The editorial team welcomes inquiries from qualified researchers interested in joining our reviewer network or serving as guest editors for thematic special issues. Contact [email protected] to discuss opportunities.

Open Access & Article Processing

JWMH operates as a fully open-access journal, ensuring that published research remains freely accessible to readers worldwide without subscription barriers. This model supports equitable knowledge dissemination, particularly benefiting researchers and institutions in resource-limited settings.

To sustain high-quality editorial operations, peer review coordination, and publication infrastructure, JWMH applies an Article Processing Charge (APC) upon manuscript acceptance. Detailed information about APC rates, payment procedures, and waiver eligibility for authors from low-income countries is available on the APC information page.

Research Impact: Open-access publication significantly increases research visibility, citation rates, and practical application. JWMH articles are indexed in scholarly databases, discoverable through academic search engines, and freely available for use in education, policy development, and future research synthesis.

Advance Women's Mental Health Science

Join researchers worldwide who trust JWMH for rigorous behavioral science publication. Submit your research examining psychological mechanisms, behavioral patterns, and social determinants of women's mental health.

Contact JWMH: For inquiries regarding manuscript suitability, reviewer opportunities, special issue proposals, or editorial policies, contact the editorial office at [email protected]. Our team provides responsive communication to support your research dissemination goals.