Examining the influence of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology: an empirical approach.

OBJECTIVE To empirically examine whether research published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology (JPP) guides research both within and outside the field of pediatric psychology. METHODS Articles published in JPP from 2000 to 2004 were evaluated to determine the frequency with which articles in JPP from 2000 influenced subsequent research. Citation rates by other journals were also examined. RESULTS Articles in JPP from 2000 were frequently cited in subsequent research, but authors rarely cited previous research as being instrumental in the development of their study design. Articles in JPP from 2000 were also frequently cited by outside journals. Specifically, journals classified as "medical and medical subspecialties" had the highest rates of citing JPP articles. CONCLUSIONS The finding that JPP is cited both within JPP and other journals provides further evidence that pediatric psychology is a thriving interdisciplinary field.