The present content analysis of all print articles published from January 2006 (Volume 14) through October 2023 (Volume 31) in The Family Journal revealed some themes and trends in the 18 years since the last review of the first 13 years of the journal. The content analysis reflected editorial priorities and reported publishing trends. In addition, the changes in journal content over time identified some meaningful themes in marriage and family counseling. A pilot content analysis for 2023 (Volume 31, Issues 1–4) refined the types and subtypes of published articles as well as categories, subcategories, and domains. Evolving themes in the content of The Family Journal informed editorial policy and facilitated review of the journal's mission. Identified themes and trends in marriage and family counseling could be helpful in understanding overall changes in the profession.
AlderC.YuC.BardhoshiG.ErfordB. T. (2021). Counseling and Values metastudy: An analysis of publication characteristics from 2000 to 2019. Counseling and Values, 66(2), 218–233. https://doi.org/10.1002/cvj.12158
2.
AndersonB.BarstackS.ErfordB. T. (2021). A metastudy of Journal of Counseling & Development: An analysis of publication characteristics from 2000 to 2019. Journal of Counseling & Development, 99(3), 263–272. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12373
3.
BlancherA. T.BuboltzW. C.SoperB. (2010). Content analysis of the Journal of Counseling & Development: Volumes 74 to 84. Journal of Counseling & Development, 88(2), 139–145. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2010.tb00002.x
Erford, B. T., Chang, C. Y., Crockett, S. A., Byrd, R., Johnsen, S. T., MacInerney, E. K., ... & Yu, C. (2023). An omnibus synthesis of author and article publication characteristics in 22 counseling journals from 2010 to 2019. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 56(3), 187–208. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481756.2023.2224028
7.
GayowskyJ.ChoiJ.ErfordB. T. (2021). Meta-study of Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling publication patterns from 2006–2019. Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling, 15(1), 2–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2021.1868379
8.
GonsalvesG.MenziesA.ErfordB. T.ZhouY.CrockettS. A.ByrdR. (2022). Career Development Quarterly: Author and article characteristics from 2000 to 2019. Development Quarterly, 70(3), 155–161. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12294
9.
JohnsenJ.WatsonK.ErfordB. T.CrockettS. A.ByrdR. (2021). A metastudy of Counselor Education and Supervision: An analysis of publication characteristics from 2000 to 2019. Counselor Education and Supervision, 60(1), 22–34. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12194
10.
JohnsonA.WestC.ErfordB. T.KarkhanisS. (2022). A meta-study of Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation (CORE). An analysis of publication characteristics from 2010–2019. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation, 13(2), 134–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/21501378.2020.1829967
11.
MacInerneyE. K.JohnsenS. T.CobbN.SmithH.ErfordB. T. (2020). Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling publication patterns from 1998 to 2017: Author article characteristics. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 41(2), 82–96. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaoc.12082
12.
Sage Publications. (2023). Guidelines for authors. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families: Manuscript Submission Guidelines.
13.
SouthernS. (2006). Themes in marriage and family counseling: A content analysis of the family journal. The Family Journal, 14(2), 114–122. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480705285552
14.
SouthernS. (2023). Publishing in The Family Journal. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 31(2), 184–187. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807231160660
15.
SouthernS. (2024). Looking back and venturing forth: Perspectives in marriage and family counseling from a content analysis of The Family Journal. The Family Journal, 32(2), 165–170. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807241232571
