Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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The Gerontologist is a journal published on behalf of the Gerontological Society of America that publishes research and analysis on aging. The journal features thematic collections, special issues, supplements, review articles, measurement articles, and international spotlight content, and reports a 2024 Impact Factor of 3.2 and a 2025 CiteScore of 7.
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Subject
Gerontology
Impact Factor
3.2
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Hybrid
ISSN
0016-9013
eISSN
1758-5341
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
No open access charge to pay for eligible authors at participating institutions; the charge is included in the institution’s agreement.
Submission Instructions
The Gerontologist accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Research Articles
Cover Letter
Cover letter is required only when appealing the manuscript word count limit to indicate that prior permission has been granted. Cover letter must state that permission has been granted when submitting a manuscript that exceeds the word count limit by prior approval.
Abstract
Abstract is required. Abstract must be structured for Research Articles.
Manuscript
Research Articles must structure the text using the headings included in the structured abstract. Manuscript must include three to five keywords below the abstract, an implications section specifying policy and/or practice implications, an Author Notes section instead of footnotes or endnotes if needed, a Funding section before Acknowledgments, and disclosure of any AI tool use in the Materials and Methods or similar section.
References
References must follow APA style, 7th edition. Reference list must be arranged alphabetically by author surname, unnumbered, include only works cited in the text, and exclude private communications or submitted work.
Figures & Tables
Each table and figure must be editable and placed on separate pages at the end of the main document in a section labeled "Tables/Figures," with table titles and figure captions on a separate page following the references rather than embedded in the text. Tables must be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals and brief titles, and all images, figures, illustrations, and photographs must include alt text directly under the relevant figure legend preceded by "Alt text:".
Humanities And Arts Research Articles
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required and must clearly state whether the paper uses a humanities- or arts-based inquiry or an evaluation of a humanities or arts intervention. The cover letter must clearly state whether the paper uses a humanities- or arts-based inquiry or an evaluation of a humanities or arts intervention.
Abstract
An abstract is required. The abstract must be unstructured and must not exceed 250 words. The abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
The main text must not exceed 7,000 words. The manuscript must include headings appropriate for the submission and provide a clear description of the method, theoretical or philosophical approach, sources used, general principles of analysis, theoretical foundations, and interpretation within gerontological scholarship. The manuscript must include three to five keywords below the abstract, practice and/or policy implications, and any AI-use disclosure in the Materials and Methods or similar section.
References
The manuscript must include no more than 50 references. References must follow APA style, 7th edition. The reference list must be arranged alphabetically by author surname, must not be numbered, and must include only works cited in the text.
Figures & Tables
The manuscript must include no more than 5 elements. Tables and figures must be editable, placed on separate pages at the end of the main document in a section labeled "Tables/Figures," and not embedded in the text. Table titles and figure captions must be provided on a separate page following the references, and alt text must appear under each relevant figure legend.
Intervention Research Articles
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript
Main text must not exceed 7,000 words. Manuscript must include a clear theoretical or conceptual framework supporting the intervention and/or treatment development and dissemination or implementation process and must clearly articulate the design, analyses, and timing of data collection. Manuscript must address practice and/or policy implications, discuss relevant implementation and dissemination issues regardless of research stage, include three to five keywords below the abstract, and disclose any AI tool use in the Materials and Methods or similar section.
References
References must not exceed 50. References must follow APA style. Reference list must be arranged alphabetically by author surname, must not be numbered, and must include only works cited in the text.
Figures & Tables
Figures and tables combined must include no more than 5 elements. Each table and figure must be editable and placed on separate pages at the end of the main document in a Tables/Figures section rather than embedded in the text. Table titles and figure captions must be provided on a separate page following the references, and alt text must be included under each relevant figure legend.
Quantitative Research Articles
Cover Letter
Cover letter must indicate that permission has been granted if appealing the manuscript text word count limit, and it may be used to communicate cultural restrictions that cannot be stated in the article body.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. Abstract must be no more than 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings that also structure the main text, and it must briefly summarize the sample's demographic characteristics.
Manuscript
Main text must be limited to 6,000 words. Manuscript must use the headings included in the structured abstract and include a conceptual framework or model leading to clearly stated a priori hypotheses, clear descriptions of research design and analysis procedures, distinctions between planned and exploratory analyses, and discussion of the limitations of exploratory analyses. Manuscript must address practice or policy implications, include three to five keywords below the abstract, list variables collected in the Methods section, report sample characteristics in the Results section, include an Author Notes section instead of footnotes or endnotes if needed, provide a Funding section before Acknowledgments, include a conflict-of-interest statement, and disclose any AI tool use in the Materials and Methods or similar section.
References
References must not exceed 50. References must follow APA style, 7th edition. Reference list must be alphabetized by author surname, unnumbered, and include only works cited in the text.
Figures & Tables
No more than 5 elements are allowed. Each table and figure must be editable and placed on separate pages at the end of the main document in a Tables/Figures section rather than embedded in the text, with captions provided on a separate page following the references. Tables must be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals and brief titles, and all images, figures, illustrations, and photographs must include alt text directly under the relevant figure legend preceded by "Alt text:".
Qualitative And Mixed Methods Research Articles
Cover Letter
A cover letter is only required if appealing the manuscript word count limit, and it must state that permission has been granted. If used to appeal the word count limit, the cover letter must indicate that permission from the Editor-in-Chief has been granted.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. Abstract must be no more than 250 words. Abstract must be structured. The manuscript text must use the headings included in the structured abstract, but the specific abstract headings are not stated.
Manuscript
Main text must be limited to 7,000 words. Manuscript must clearly identify and justify the qualitative or mixed methods methodology, provide a Research Design and Methods section detailing implementation, and show how any guiding theory or conceptual framework was used in the methods and results. The manuscript must address practice and/or policy implications, include three to five keywords below the abstract, include declarations such as funding and conflict of interest statements, and disclose any AI tool used and how it was used in the Materials and Methods or similar section.
References
The manuscript must include no more than 50 references. References must follow APA style, 7th edition. References must be arranged alphabetically by author surname, must not be numbered, and must include only works cited in the text.
Figures & Tables
The manuscript must include no more than 5 elements. Each table and figure must be editable and placed on separate pages at the end of the main document in a section labeled "Tables/Figures" rather than embedded in the text. Tables must be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals and brief titles, and table titles and figure captions must be provided on a separate page following the references.
Review Articles
Cover Letter
If permission to exceed the word count has been granted before submission, the cover letter must indicate that permission was granted.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. Abstract must be no more than 250 words. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript
Main text must be limited to 8,000 words. Review articles must be grounded in conceptual or theoretical frameworks and use the headings included in the structured abstract. The manuscript must include three to five keywords below the abstract, practice and/or policy implications, and an AI-use disclosure in the Materials and Methods or similar section if AI tools were used.
References
Review articles must include no more than 75 references. References must follow APA style, 7th edition. References must be arranged alphabetically by author surname, must not be numbered, and must include only works cited in the text.
Figures & Tables
Review articles must include no more than 10 elements. Each table and figure must be editable and placed on separate pages at the end of the main document in a section labeled "Tables/Figures" rather than embedded in the text. Table titles and figure captions must be typed on a separate page following the references, and alt text must be included directly under each relevant figure legend.
Systematic Reviews
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript
Main text must not exceed 8,000 words. Review articles must be grounded in a conceptual or theoretical framework. Manuscripts must include three to five keywords below the abstract, and any AI tool used in writing, image or graphical production, or data collection and analysis must be disclosed in the Materials and Methods or similar section.
References
References must not exceed 75. References must follow APA style. Reference list must be arranged alphabetically by author surname, must not be numbered, and must include only works cited in the text.
Figures & Tables
Figures, tables, and other elements combined must not exceed 10. Tables and figures must be placed on separate pages at the end of the main document rather than embedded in the text. Each table and figure must be editable, and table titles and figure captions must be typed on a separate page following the references.
Scoping Reviews
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. Abstract must be no more than 250 words. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript
Main text must be limited to 8,000 words. Scoping reviews must be grounded in a conceptual or theoretical framework and provide a rationale for the selected synthesis method supported by relevant evidence.
References
References must not exceed 75. Manuscripts must follow APA 7th edition style. References must be arranged alphabetically by author surname, must not be numbered, and must include only works cited in the text.
Figures & Tables
Figures, tables, and other elements combined must not exceed 10. Tables and figures must be placed on separate pages at the end of the manuscript rather than embedded in the text.
Meta-Analyses
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript
Main text must be limited to 8,000 words. Review articles must be grounded in conceptual or theoretical frameworks and structure the text using the headings included in the structured abstract. Manuscript must address practice and/or policy implications and include three to five keywords below the abstract.
References
References must not exceed 75. References must follow APA style. Reference list must be arranged alphabetically by author surname, must not be numbered, and must include only works cited in the text.
Figures & Tables
Figures and tables combined must not exceed 10 elements. Each table and figure must be editable and placed on separate pages at the end of the main document rather than embedded in the text. Tables and figures must be included in a section labeled "Tables/Figures" following the references, and table titles and figure captions must be typed on a separate page.
Umbrella Reviews
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. Abstract must be no more than 250 words. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript
Main text must be limited to 8,000 words. Review must be grounded in a conceptual or theoretical framework and the text must use the headings included in the structured abstract.
References
Review must include no more than 75 references. References must follow APA style. Reference list must be arranged alphabetically by author surname, must not be numbered, and must include only works cited in the text.
Figures & Tables
Review must include no more than 10 elements. Each table and figure must be editable and placed on separate pages at the end of the main document rather than embedded in the text.
Measurement Articles
Cover Letter
If appealing the manuscript text word count limit, the cover letter must indicate that permission from the Editor-in-Chief has been granted.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. The abstract must not exceed 250 words. The abstract must be structured.
Manuscript
The main text must be limited to 6,000 words. The manuscript must fully describe scale or instrument development and validation procedures, situate the scale or instrument within an explicit conceptual framework or theory, and use the headings included in the structured abstract. The manuscript must address practice and/or policy implications, include three to five keywords below the abstract, and disclose any AI tools used in writing, image or graphical production, or data collection and analysis in the Materials and Methods or similar section.
References
The manuscript must include no more than 50 references. References must follow APA style, 7th edition. References must be arranged alphabetically by author surname, must not be numbered, and must include only works cited in the text.
Figures & Tables
The manuscript must include no more than 5 elements. Each table and figure must be editable and placed on a separate page at the end of the main document in a section labeled "Tables/Figures" rather than embedded in the text. Tables must be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals and brief titles, and alt text must be provided directly under each relevant figure legend.
Recent Publications
What do young adults think about informal care for older adults?: Testing and validation of a public caregiver stigma scale in Canada
Larissa Zwar, Sanjna Ratti
10.1093/geront/gnag248
View Publication
Age trajectories of informal caregiving for older people in England: Testing the healthy caregiver hypothesis
Bo Hu
10.1093/geront/gnag249
View Publication
Caring across borders: ageing and digital technology in transnational families
Yan Wen, Nan Zhang, Athina Vlachantoni, Fiona Stanaway
10.1093/geront/gnag240
View Publication
Supporting Diversity in Health and Aging Research and Education: Recommendations from a Multidisciplinary Gerontological Symposium
Angela K Perone, DeAnnah R Byrd, Chanee D Fabius, Linda Hollis, Paul Nash, Tina M K Newsham, LaDora V Thompson, LaVona Traywick, Bei Wu
10.1093/geront/gnag247
View Publication
Balance on the Brain: Multimodal exercise programme evaluating physical performance, falls, quality of life and cognition for people with mild cognitive impairment-randomised controlled trial
Elissa Burton, Nicola T Lautenschlager, Kathryn A Ellis, Angela Jacques, Anne-Marie Hill, Meggen Lowry, Rachael Moorin, Joanne McVeigh, Kirk I Erickson, Joel Tate, Sarah Bernard, Carolyn F Orr, Luke Bongiascia, Melanie L Clark, Keith D Hill
10.1093/geront/gnag245
View Publication
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
Median days from submission to first decision, median days from submission to final decision, and median days from acceptance to publication are provided as journal-level metrics.
Reformat to The Gerontologist using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
Cover letter is optional. For humanities and arts research articles, the cover letter should clearly state whether the paper uses a humanities- or arts-based inquiry or an evaluation of a humanities or arts intervention. Appeals to exceed word count limits require prior permission from the Editor-in-Chief and authors should indicate in the cover letter that permission has been granted.
Reformat to The Gerontologist using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
No open access charge to pay for eligible authors at participating institutions; the charge is included in the institution’s agreement.
Reformat to The Gerontologist using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
Aging and Gerontology Research
Migration, Aging, and Tourism Studies
Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving
Health and Well-being Studies
Retirement, Disability, and Employment
Health disparities and outcomes
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Human auditory perception and evaluation
Elder Abuse and Neglect
Diverse Scientific and Economic Studies
Technology Use by Older Adults
Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
Frailty in Older Adults
Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
Urban and spatial planning
Health and Wellbeing Research
Global Health Care Issues
Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
Healthcare Policy and Management
Identity, Memory, and Therapy
Older Adults Driving Studies
Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
Employment and Welfare Studies
Family Support in Illness