Assessing the scholarly impact of health psychology: A citation analysis of articles published from 1993 to 2003.

Objective: We conducted a citation analysis to explore the impact of articles published in Health Psychology and determine whether the journal is fulfilling its stated mission. Design: Six years of articles (N = 408) representing three editorial tenures from 1993–2003 were selected for analysis. Main Outcome Measures: Articles were coded for several dimensions enabling examination of the relationship of article features to subsequent citations rates. Journals citing articles published in Health Psychology were classified into four categories: (1) psychology, (2) medicine, (3) public health and health policy, and (4) other journals. Results: The majority of citations of Health Psychology articles were in psychology journals, followed closely by medical journals. Studies reporting data collected from college students, and discussing the theoretical implications of findings, were more likely to be cited in psychology journals, whereas studies reporting data from clinical populations, and discussing the practice implications of findings, were more likely to be cited in medical journals. Time since publication and page length were both associated with increased citation counts, and review articles were cited more frequently than observational studies. Conclusion: Articles published in Health Psychology have a wide reach, informing psychology, medicine, public health and health policy. Certain characteristics of articles affect their subsequent pattern of citation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stephen M. Weiss: Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Applied Research.

Presents the citation for Stephen M. Weiss, who received the Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Applied Research "for his work as an internationally recognized leader in the fields of health psychology and behavioral medicine." A brief profile and a selected bibliography accompany the citation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mona M. Amer: APA/APAGS Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology.

Presents the citation of Mona M. Amer, who received the APA/APAGS Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology "for her outstanding and innovative leadership in addressing the mental health needs of Muslim and Arab Americans." A brief profile and a selected bibliography accompany the citation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gretchen B. Chapman: Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology.

Presents a citation for Gretchen B. Chapman, who received the Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology, "for a steady stream of important research on behavioral decision theory and its application to health." Accompanying the citation are a biography and selected bibliography of her work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for distinguished contribution to research in public policy: Thomas Grisso.

Presents the citation, biography, and selected bibliography of Thomas Grisso, one of the recipients of the American Psychological Association's Awards for Distinguished Contribution to Research in Public Policy. From the awardee's citation: "For pioneering the introduction of rigorous empirically based psychological assessment methods into real-world forensic contexts. His studies of the competence of adolescents to waive legal rights broke new ground in psycholegal research and have been widely cited by courts and advocates. His impact on improving standards of forensic ethics has been profound and pervasive. His contributions to the advancement of professional training and service delivery by mental health professionals in the legal system have been equally deep and widespread. Along with Paul Appelbaum, he has articulated a model of the competence of persons with mental disorder to accept or refuse treatment that stands as a permanent contribution to the psychology of law." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology: Nancy E. Adler.

Nancy E. Adler, winner of the Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology, is cited for her research on reproductive health examining adolescent decision making with regard to contraception, conscious and preconscious motivations for pregnancy, and perception of risk for sexually transmitted diseases, and for her groundbreaking insights into the importance of psychological processes in explaining why socioeconomic status is associated with physical health. In addition to the citation, a biography and selected bibliography of her works are provided. Also included here is Adler's paper, entitled "Health disparities through a psychological lens," a version of which Adler presented at the American Psychological Association's annual convention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

David S. Krantz: Distinguished Scientific Award for an Early Career Contribution to Psychology.

Provides the biography of David S. Krantz, and announces that he has received the APA Distinguished Scientific Award for an Early Career Contribution to Psychology (1982) for outstanding and innovative research on mechanisms underlying behavior and health; and for illuminating how personality and social psychological processes have concomitant effects upon behavior and physiology. The award citation and a bibliography are also provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Awards for Distinguished Professional Contributions: Stephen E. Goldston.

Recognizing the diversity of roles and activities in which many professional psychologists are engaged, Professional Awards have been presented to individual members of the American Psychological Association whose distinguished contributions have served to advance psychology as a profession in the areas of knowledge, public service, and professional practice. For 1984, Stephen E. Goldston was honored for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Public Service. Goldston was cited as the prime architect of the federal mental health prevention effort. Through his pioneering foresight, tireless advocacy, and effective leadership, primary prevention has become a major national priority and an integral part of mental health practice, research, and training. In addition to the citation, a biography and bibliography of Goldston's works are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy.

Announces that the 1998/1999 winner of the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy is Leonard Bickman, "for his seminal contributions to our understanding of public policy and societal problems and in recognition of the landmark Fort Bragg study of children's mental health services." Included here are the award citation, a biography, and a selected bibliography of the recipient's work. Also included is the award address presented by Bickman at APA's annual convention in 1999, entitled "Practice Makes Perfect and Other Myths About Mental Health Services." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hendree E. Jones: Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology.

This document presents the citation awarded to Hendree E. Jones, recipient of the 2005 APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology. A brief biography and a selected bibliography of Jones accompany the citation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psi Chi/APA Edwin B. Newman Graduate Research Award: Joseph H. Hammer.

Joseph H. Hammer, recipient of the Psi Chi/APA Edwin B. Newman Graduate Research Award, is cited for an outstanding research paper whose findings provide important evidence regarding the promise of a male-sensitive approach to mental health marketing and empirically support the inclusion of theory-driven enhancements in group-targeted mental health campaign efforts. The paper was titled “Men’s help-seeking for depression: The efficacy of a male-sensitive brochure about therapy.” Hammer’s findings suggest that certain male-tailored approaches may improve depressed men’s attitudes and reduce self-stigma of seeking help. Along with the citation, a biography and selected bibliography of Hammer's works are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions: Carl N. Zimet.

Recognizing the diversity of roles and activities in which many professional psychologists are engaged, beginning in 1979, Professional Awards have been presented to individual members of the Association whose distinguished contributions have served to advance psychology as a profession in the areas of knowledge, public service, and professional practice. Carl N. Zimet was a recipient of the 1987 Distinguished Professional Contributions to Applied Psychology as a Professional Practice award. Zimet is cited for his devotion to high standards of education and training and professional practice in psychology. As a trustee on the American Board of Professional Psychology, he was charged to develop a plan which eventually became the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. Through key leadership positions on APA governance bodies, and other professional organizations, he has dedicated himself to setting high standards and promoting the recognition of psychologists in the health care arena. In addition to the citation, a biography and selected bibliography of his works are included. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Edwin B. Newman Graduate Research Award.

The Edwin B. Newman Graduate Research Award is sponsored jointly by Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, and the APA. The award is presented annually to the psychology graduate student who submits the best research paper that was published or presented at a national, regional, or state psychological association convention during the past calendar year. This document lists the winners of the award from 1979 to 2001, and provides a citation, biography, and selected bibliography for the 2001 recipient, Su Yeong Kim. Kim's paper is noted as "an outstanding research paper illuminating the family processes associated with adolescent mental health in an understudied minority population." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

APA/APAGS Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology: Julie E. Braciszewski.

Julie E. Braciszewski, recipient of the APA/APAGS Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology, is cited for her noteworthy efforts to decrease mental health and academic service disparities among low-income, urban African American youth. Braciszewski recognizes that educational achievement is the clearest and most reliable route to breaking the cycle of persistent poverty. She has substantially contributed to research in understanding the needs of inner city children and the processes that contribute to their risk and success. In addition to the citation, a biography and selected bibliography of Braciszewski's works are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy.

The Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest confers the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy on a psychologist who has made a distinguished empirical and/or theoretical contribution to research in public policy, either through a single extraordinary achievement or a lifetime of work. The 2001 winner is Susan D. Cochran, who won for "her outstanding research and writing on the psychosocial variables that affect the mental and physical health of stigmatized and ethnic minority populations." This document provides Cochran's citation, biography, and selected bibliography, as well as her award address, entitled "Emerging Issues in Research on Lesbians' and Gay Men's Mental Health: Does Sexual Orientation Really Matter?" (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Awards for distinguished professional contributions: David William Purcell.

Presents the citation, biography, and selected bibliography for David William Purcell, the 1994 recipient of the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions--Distinguished Contributions for Applied Psychology or Community Service by a Graduate Student or Intern (Individual or Group). From Purcell's citation: "David W. Purcell's contributions to community service during graduate training include being part of the founding and development of Positive Impact, Inc., a nonprofit, community-based organization in Atlanta that provides free mental health services, through volunteer mental health professionals, to low-income individuals affected by HIV. He was vice president of the founding Board of Directors and president of the Board during 1993-1994. He currently serves as secretary of the Board, and the organization has grown to 4 full-time members, over 80 volunteer providers, and a yearly budget of $200,000 supported by numerous grants." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Applied Research: Luciano L’Abate.

Luciano L’Abate, recipient of the Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Applied Research, contributed to applied research through the introduction of the laboratory method in clinical psychology assessment and intervention, leading to the development of the first automated playroom, linking play therapy with research in child development. Following the same method, he developed structured enrichment programs for couples and families that were forerunners of self-help, interactive programmed practice exercises, and workbooks for functional and dysfunctional populations to be administered in self-help, health promotion, prevention, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation contexts. Provided here are a citation, biography, and selected bibliography of L'Abate's works, along with his paper, entitled "In search of a relational theory," a version of which was presented at the American Psychological Association's annual convention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and Health: Research, Practice, and Policy.

Since World War II, American psychology's role in health care has significantly expanded. This was formally recognized in 2001 when the membership of the American Psychological Association (APA) approved a bylaw change in its mission statement to include the word health. An accumulating body of research demonstrates and recent reviews conclude that psychological factors are primary in health and in illnesses. This article proposes a vision of psychology that endorses a bio-psycho-socio-cultural model of health research and interventions. The author provides 4 definitions of health, reviews selected psychology health research and interventions, summarizes APA's recent health-related activities, and presents 5 policy recommendations for consideration and debate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correlates of subjective health in older adults: A meta-analysis.

Age-associated changes of subjective health and associations of subjective health with physical health, functional health, and mental health were meta-analyzed in older adults (mean age > 60 yrs). An age-associated decline of subjective health, which was stronger in old-old samples than in young-old samples, was found. Subjective health was correlated with the indicators of objective health, but the association with physical health was stronger than with functional health. Correlations of subjective health with physical health and functional health were lower in the old-old than in the young-old samples, whereas associations of subjective health with mental health were stronger in older samples. Furthermore, the size of the association between subjective and objective health varied by the method of assessment of objective health, showing highest associations with symptom checklists and results of medical examinations due to strict protocols. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)