Sport Social Work Journal Guide
Whether you are looking to publish or do research in sport social work, we welcome you to browse the journal list compiled below. This list has been curated by the ASWIS Research Committee to help sport social workers find academically vetted resources. The compiled list includes journals with a history of publishing peer-reviewed research related to sport, social work, and the advancement of the subspecialty.
Covers applied and translational developmental research focused on improving child, youth, and family outcomes through evidence-based practice.
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
Publishes research on social work practice with children, youth, and families, including mental health, welfare, school systems, and interventions.
An interdisciplinary journal on childhood studies, child welfare, rights, social policy, and youth well-being.
Children and Youth Services Review
Research on child and youth services, welfare systems, mental health, education, juvenile justice, and community-based interventions.
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Covers multidisciplinary research on sport, exercise, physical activity, athlete health, performance, and social issues in sport.
Publishes high-level theoretical and review articles on health psychology, behavior change, intervention science, and biopsychosocial health processes.
International Journal of School Social Work
Focuses on school social work research and practice, including interventions, student well-being, educational systems, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
International Journal of Sport Communication
Examines communication in sport, including media, digital platforms, branding, journalism, and fan engagement.
International Journal of Sport Management
Addresses sport business, governance, marketing, and organizational issues within sport industries worldwide.
International Journal of Sport Management, Recreation & Tourism
Covers sport and recreation management, tourism, leisure, event management, and sport economics.
International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching
Integrates sport science and coaching, focusing on training methods, applied performance research, and coach development.
International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology
A premier journal for high-level review articles on sport psychology, exercise psychology, performance, and mental processes.
International Sport Coaching Journal
Publishes practical and research-informed work on coaching processes, coach education, professional practice, and athlete development.
Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
Applies psychological principles to enhance athlete performance, well-being, and development, including mental skills and applied interventions.
Journal of Experiential Education
Publishes research on experiential learning, outdoor education, service learning, and applied educational practice.
Journal of Intercollegiate Sport
Focuses on college athletics policy, governance, athlete experiences, NCAA systems, and intercollegiate sport issues.
Covers broad social work research related to policy, practice, community systems, and well-being across populations.
Journal of Social Work Education
Publishes research on social work pedagogy, curriculum, accreditation, teaching strategies, and professional training.
Journal of Sport and Social Issues
Focuses on sociological, political, and cultural analysis of sport, including identity, equity, power, social change, and policy.
Focuses on the social and behavioral aspects of sport, including athlete behavior, motivation, social psychology, and sport culture.
Journal of Sport for Development
Focuses on sport-for-development programs, community development, social justice, international development, and evaluation of SFD initiatives.
Journal of Sport Psychology in Action
Targets applied sport psychology, real-world case studies, interventions, practitioner reflections, and performance consulting.
Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research
Publishes rigorous empirical social work research focused on well-being, systems, policy, and community contexts.
Covers positive youth development, after-school programs, mentoring, community initiatives, and evidence-based practices supporting adolescent growth.
Provides scholarly reviews synthesizing research across kinesiology fields: sport science, motor behavior, physiology, psychology, and pedagogy.
Covers management, policy, and organizational issues in sport, leisure, recreation, and event sectors.
Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy
Focuses on teaching, learning, curriculum, and pedagogy in physical education and school sport.
Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Publishes research on psychological processes that influence sport, physical activity, and exercise behavior, including motivation, performance, mental health, and well-being.
Covers research and practice in recreational sports, campus recreation, intramurals, facilities, and program administration.
Research on Social Work Practice
Publishes evidence-based social work research with a focus on interventions, practice models, evaluation, and clinical outcomes.
Covers research on sport industry management, policy, marketing, governance, and organizational behavior.
Dedicated to sport social work practice, research, and policy, focusing on athlete well-being, systems advocacy, mental health, and equity in sport environments.
Explores the social, cultural, and political role of sport within educational settings, youth development, and schooling systems.
Publishes research on coaching practice, coach education, learning, behavior, and professional development within sport coaching.
Publishes scholarship in physical education pedagogy, curriculum, teacher preparation, and movement-based educational practices.
An interdisciplinary journal covering research on youth development, well-being, education, identity, and social contexts shaping young people’s lives.
