Journal of Child Custody

Aims & Scope

The Journal of Family Trauma, Child Custody, and Child Development (JFT), formerly Journal of Child Custody, provides access to the research, theories, ideas, commentaries, and experiences of leading experts in the fields of family psychology, child development, attachment, child custody, trauma, interpersonal violence and abuse, assessment, parenting, divorce, and other relevant areas.

It keeps professionals up to date with the latest developments in the research and practice on these important areas of family and child functioning, as well as discussions about complex legal and psychological issues involved in their assessment or evaluations.

While it will not shy away from controversial topics and ideas, the JFT is committed to publishing accurate, balanced, and scholarly articles as well as insightful reviews of relevant literature, research, and books covering these areas.

It is important for practitioners to be aware and understand the latest techniques, science, ethical factors, best practices, and applications regarding child and family issues such that they are able to conduct evaluations, interventions, legal representation, testimony, and advocacy with respect to their profession and discipline.

The journal is anonymously peer reviewed with an interdisciplinary editorial board comprised of child custody evaluators, mental health, social work, law enforcement and medical professionals, researchers, attorneys, and judges committed to the safety and best interests of children and families, especially as they relate to various types of court cases.

Abstracting & Indexing

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

• Scopus
• Google Scholar

Subjects & Keywords

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

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.

• Is It Abuse, Alienation, and/or Estrangement?

  Citation: 83

  Authors: Leslie M., Nancy Williams

• A Historical Perspective on Parental Alienation Syndrome and Parental Alienation

  Citation: 73

  Authors: Joan S.

• Apples and Oranges in Child Custody Disputes: Intimate Terrorism vs. Situational Couple Violence

  Citation: 43

  Authors: Michael P.

• Bench Book for Assessing Parental Gatekeeping in Parenting Disputes: Understanding the Dynamics of Gate Closing and Opening for the Best Interests of Children

  Citation: 42

  Authors: William G., Linda, Marsha Kline

• Abusers gaining custody in family courts: A case series of over turned decisions

  Citation: 37

  Authors: Joyanna, Stephanie

• Teachers’ intentions to report suspected child abuse: the influence of compassion fatigue

  Citation: 36

  Authors: Tess M., Margaret C.

• Coparenting and the Parenting Coordination Process

  Citation: 36

  Authors: Matthew J.

• Joint versus sole physical custody: Outcomes for children independent of family income or parental conflict

  Citation: 36

  Authors: Linda

• The Gender Paradigm in Family Court Processes: Re-balancing the Scales of Justice From Biased Social Science

  Citation: 36

  Authors: Donald G., John, Jon

• No way to turn: Traps encountered by many battered women with negative child custody experiences

  Citation: 36

  Authors: Daniel G., Katherine H.