HP

Health Psychology

Health Psychology is the official scientific journal of the Society for Health Psychology (APA Division 38). It publishes monthly and focuses on the interface of psychology and health and wellness, including biobehavioral pathways and mechanisms, social determinants of health, psychosocial and sociocultural influences, intervention development, dissemination and implementation science, and theoretical and methodological advances. The journal publishes original research reports, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, intervention and translational science reports, guidelines and policy discussions, and catalyst pieces, with a stated emphasis on inclusive excellence and population health.

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Subject Psychology, Clinical
Impact Factor 3.2
Quartile Q1
Open Access Type Closed
ISSN 0278-6133
eISSN 1930-7810
Invitation Only No
Cost Range Print subscription prices for 2026 Volume range from $182 for APA members and students to $2,355 for institutions, depending on delivery option.

Submission Instructions

Health Psychology accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.

Regular Article

Cover Letter A cover letter is required. The cover letter must briefly describe the paper, explain its fit with the journal’s scope, confirm that all authors reviewed the final submitted version, and state any intention to include supplemental material.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Regular Articles are limited to 30 pages including the title page, abstract, text, references, tables, and figures. Manuscripts must be prepared according to APA 7th edition. Manuscripts must include up to five keywords below the abstract, a 2–3 sentence public significance statement of no more than 70 words on the abstract/keywords page, and disclosure of any generative AI use in the manuscript.
References References must follow APA 7th edition style. References must be listed in alphabetical order, and every reference must be cited in the text with every text citation included in the reference list.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript after the references, with one table or figure per page. Tables must adhere to APA Style and be created using Word’s Insert Table function.
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Original Research Reports

Cover Letter A cover letter is required. Cover letter must briefly describe the paper, explain its fit with the journal’s scope, and confirm that all authors reviewed the final submitted version.
Abstract A structured abstract is required. Abstract must be 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript Manuscript must include a clear statement of the research question, hypothesis, specific aims, or study purpose and a brief Transparency and Openness subsection at the beginning of the Methods section. Manuscript must include up to five keywords, a 2–3 sentence public significance statement of no more than 70 words, disclosure of any generative AI use, the year or years of data collection in both the abstract and Method section, and discussion of sample diversity and generalizability in both the abstract and discussion.
References References must follow APA Style, 7th edition. References must be listed in alphabetical order, every listed reference must be cited in the text, and all cited data, code, methods, and proprietary materials developed by others must appear in the reference list.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript after the references, with one table or figure per page. Tables and statistical results, tables, and figures must adhere to APA Style.
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Systematic Reviews

Cover Letter A cover letter must be uploaded with the submission. Cover letter must briefly describe the paper, explain how it fits the journal’s scope, and confirm that all authors reviewed the final submitted version.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must include up to five keywords below the abstract, a 2–3 sentence public significance statement of no more than 70 words on the abstract/keywords page, and disclosure of any generative AI use in the manuscript.
References References must follow APA 7th edition style. References must be listed in alphabetical order, and every listed reference must be cited in the text with every text citation included in the References section.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript after the references, with one table or figure per page. Tables must adhere to APA Style and be created using Word’s Insert Table function.
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Meta-Analyses

Cover Letter A cover letter is required. The cover letter must briefly describe the paper, explain how it fits within the journal’s scope, and confirm that all authors reviewed the final submitted version.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 35 pages including the title page, abstract, text, references, tables, and figures. The manuscript must include up to five keywords below the abstract, a 2–3 sentence public significance statement of no more than 70 words on the abstract/keywords page, and disclosure of any generative AI use in the manuscript.
References References must follow APA Style, 7th edition. References must be listed in alphabetical order, and every reference listed must be cited in the text with every text citation included in the reference list.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript after the references, with one table or figure per page. Tables must adhere to APA Style and be created using Word’s Insert Table function.
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Intervention And Translational Science Reports

Cover Letter A cover letter is required. The cover letter must briefly describe the paper, explain how it fits within the journal’s scope, confirm that all authors reviewed the final submitted version, and state any intention to include supplemental material.
Abstract A structured abstract is required. Abstract must be 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript Empirical reports must include a clear statement of the research question, hypothesis, specific aims, or purpose of the study, essential method information, a Methods subsection titled "Transparency and Openness," disclosure of study limitations, and conclusions consistent with the findings. Manuscripts must include up to five keywords below the abstract, a 2–3 sentence public significance statement of no more than 70 words on the abstract/keywords page, disclosure of generative AI use in the manuscript, and the year or years of data collection in both the abstract and the Method section.
References References must follow APA style, 7th edition. References must be listed in alphabetical order, and every reference listed must be cited in the text and every text citation must appear in the References section.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript after the references, with one table or figure per page. Tables and statistical results must adhere to APA Style.
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Narrative Reviews

Cover Letter A cover letter is required. Cover letter must briefly describe the paper, explain its fit with the journal’s scope, and confirm that all authors reviewed the final submitted version.
Abstract An abstract is required. Abstract must be unstructured and must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript Manuscript must include up to five keywords below the abstract, a 2–3 sentence public significance statement of no more than 70 words on the abstract/keywords page, and disclosure of any generative AI use in the manuscript.
References References must follow APA Style, 7th edition. References must be listed in alphabetical order, and every reference listed must be cited in the text and vice versa.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript after the references, with one table or figure per page. Tables must follow APA Style and be created using Word’s Insert Table function.
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Meta-Regression Analyses

Cover Letter A cover letter is required. Cover letter must briefly describe the paper, explain its fit with the journal’s scope, and confirm that all authors reviewed the final submitted version.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 35 pages including the title page, abstract, text, references, tables, and figures. Manuscript must be prepared according to APA 7th edition. Manuscript must include up to five keywords, a 2–3 sentence public significance statement of no more than 70 words on the abstract/keywords page, and disclosure of any generative AI use in the manuscript.
References References must follow APA Style, 7th edition. References must be listed in alphabetical order, and every reference listed must be cited in the text and vice versa.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript after the references, with one table or figure per page. Tables must adhere to APA Style and be created using Word’s Insert Table function.
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Brief Report

Cover Letter A cover letter is required. Cover letter must briefly describe the paper, explain its fit with the journal’s scope, and confirm that all authors reviewed the final submitted version.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Brief Reports are limited to 12 pages total, including the title page, abstract, text, references, tables, and figures. Manuscripts must include up to five keywords, a 2–3 sentence public significance statement of no more than 70 words on the abstract/keywords page, and disclosure of any generative AI use in the manuscript.
References References must follow APA Style, 7th edition. References must be listed in alphabetical order, and every reference listed must be cited in the text and vice versa.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript after the references, with one table or figure per page. Tables must adhere to APA Style and be created using Word’s Insert Table function.
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Guidelines

Cover Letter A cover letter is required. The cover letter must briefly describe the paper, explain how it fits within the journal’s scope, and confirm that all authors reviewed the final submitted version.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscripts must include up to five keywords below the abstract, a 2–3 sentence public significance statement of no more than 70 words on the abstract/keywords page, and disclosure of any generative AI use in drafting or editing within the manuscript.
References References must follow APA Style, 7th edition. References must be listed in alphabetical order, and every reference must be cited in the text with every text citation included in the reference list.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript after the references, with one item per page. Tables must follow APA Style and be created using Word’s Insert Table function.
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Letters To The Editor

Cover Letter A cover letter is required. Cover letter must disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Use of generative AI in drafting or editing the manuscript must be disclosed in the manuscript.
References Manuscript must be prepared according to APA 7th edition style. References must be listed in alphabetical order, and every reference must correspond to an in-text citation.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript after the references, with one item per page.
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Recent Publications

Stress and cardiovascular disease: Testing a vigilance pathway in two contemporary theories.

Riley M. O'Neill, George M. Slavich, Julian F. Thayer, Craig C. Weinkauf, Melissa Flores, Chul Ahn, Matthew Allison, Timothy W. Smith, Joshua M. Smyth, Daniel J. Taylor, Bert N. Uchino, John M. Ruiz

10.1037/hea0001615
View Publication

Supplemental Material for Daily-Level Associations Between Sleep Hygiene, Cannabis Use, and Sleep Health Outcomes

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10.1037/hea0001620.supp
View Publication

Supplemental Material for Stress and Cardiovascular Disease: Testing a Vigilance Pathway in Two Contemporary Theories

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10.1037/hea0001615.supp
View Publication

Supplemental Material for Clinically Effective Child Change in Family-Based Behavioral Treatment for Pediatric Obesity: An Individual Participant Mega-Analysis

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10.1037/hea0001612.supp
View Publication

Specificity versus inclusivity in blood donor appeals among ethnic minority communities: The risks of “othering”.

Richard Mills, Abiola Okubanjo, Muskaan Pal, Natasha Acheampong, Emanuele Di Angelantonio, Angela Wood, Barbara Masser, Eamonn Ferguson

10.1037/hea0001595
View Publication

Frequently asked questions

Is a cover letter required?

Authors should state their intention to include supplemental material in the cover letter accompanying the submission to the editor.

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What are the publication costs?

Print subscription prices for 2026 Volume range from $182 for APA members and students to $2,355 for institutions, depending on delivery option.

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Research Topics

Behavioral Health and Interventions Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet Cardiac Health and Mental Health Smoking Behavior and Cessation Stress Responses and Cortisol Eating Disorders and Behaviors Optimism, Hope, and Well-being Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Cancer survivorship and care Health disparities and outcomes Physical Activity and Health Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions Mental Health Research Topics Family Support in Illness Resilience and Mental Health Health, psychology, and well-being Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction Diabetes Management and Education Attachment and Relationship Dynamics Health and Lifestyle Studies School Health and Nursing Education Obesity and Health Practices Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factors

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