Journal of Pediatric Psychology: A Content Analysis of Articles Over Its First 10 Years

This study provides a 10-year scientific and professional history ofpediatric psychology through a data-based content analysis of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology (JPP). All issues of JPP from 1976 to 1985 inclusive (Vols. 1-10) constituted the data base of 351 articles. Each article was categorized for the following variables: (a) population age, (b) population type, (c) article type, (d) theoretical orientation, (e) senior author affiliation, and (f) sex of senior authors and editors. One of the significant trends identified by this study shows an increase over time in applied research, indicating that JPP has developed into a scientific journal oriented toward solving immediate problems in children's health care. This study not only provides an important perspective on the history of pediatric psychology but also demonstrates a method for obtaining historical information from scientific media which is applicable to other specialty areas in psychology.