Developmental Child Welfare

Aims & Scope

The broad aim of the journal is to advance our understanding of the development, health (including mental health) and well-being of children and adolescents exposed to severe social adversity throughout the world, specifically maltreated children and adolescents who remain in their parents’ care, and those subsequently placed in alternative forms of care – as well as the long-term impact that these experiences have on adult development and the development of subsequent generations.

Within this broad aim, the journal’s scope is defined by both specific subject matter, and specific populations.

Its subject coverage is limited to children’s psychological, neurological, physical and social development and functioning (including research pertaining to children’s physical and mental health, learning and education), as well as parental, caregiver and systemic factors that shape children’s development and functioning.

Its population coverage is limited to maltreated children and adolescents who remain with their families; those placed by the state in statutory (i.e. foster, kinship or residential) care; those who exit statutory care to adoption or other permanent arrangements, including restoration to their parents’ care; as well as their parents and caregivers (where parenting and caregiver research is directly pertinent to children’s development).

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	13831

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	78

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	0.398

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q2

h-index

Year	Value
2024	12

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Medicine, Psychology and Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Parenting stress and risk of child maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: A family stress theory-informed perspective

  Citation: 129

  Authors: Qi, Yanfeng

• When it counts the most: Trauma-informed care and the COVID-19 global pandemic

  Citation: 59

  Authors: Delphine, Denise, Irene

• Supporting foster carers to meet the needs of looked after children: A feasibility and pilot evaluation of the Reflective Fostering Programme

  Citation: 37

  Authors: Nick, Antonella, Chloe, Erica, Grace, Peter, Sheila, Richard, Theresa

• Virtual parent-child visitation in support of family reunification in the time of COVID-19

  Citation: 30

  Authors: Jacqueline, David

• Attachment in family foster care: Literature review of associated characteristics

  Citation: 28

  Authors: Delphine, Johan, Lisa, Laura, Frank

• The impact of COVID-19 on child welfare-involved families: Implications for parent–child reunification and child welfare professionals

  Citation: 28

  Authors: Abbie E., David, Jacqueline, Patience

• What evidence is there that parenting interventions reduce child abuse and neglect among maltreating families? A systematic review

  Citation: 25

  Authors: Sarah, Michael

• Nurturing attachments parenting program: The relationship between adopters’ parental reflective functioning and perception of their children’s difficulties

  Citation: 24

  Authors: J., K., J.

• Outcomes in adulthood of adoption after long-term foster care: A sibling study

  Citation: 24

  Authors: Anders, Bo, Lars

• Use of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to identify treatment needs in looked-after children referred to CAMHS

  Citation: 18

  Authors: Hannah, David, Jacqui, Sarah Jane, Nick

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