Editorial Policy for Candidate Gene Studies

The Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology receives an increasing number of manuscripts reporting tests of associations of candidate genetic polymorphisms with measures of psychopathology in children and adolescents, including tests of gene-environment interactions. These studies represent the exciting new directions that research in child psychopathology is taking. However, the studies also represent a challenge with regard to the criteria used for evaluating them. Across several fields, standards for the publication of such studies are currently in flux. Therefore, it seemed appropriate to advance an editorial policy for the Journal in order to guide both authors and reviewers as we evaluate and incorporate candidate gene work into the study of child psychopathology. …