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. To meet this mission, I invited Dr. Benjamin Lahey a previous president of ISRCAP, a long-standing editorial board member, and an active contributor to the research on candidate gene and gene-environment interactions in child psychopathology to partner with Dr. Walter Matthys, a current Associate Editor for the Journal, to prepare a statement outlining such an editorial policy. I express my appreciation to both of them for their efforts in producing the well-reasoned and clear policy presented below. I am confident that this policy will serve our journal well as we move forward in learning about genetic factors in youth psychopathology.