In 2005, the Publications Committee of the European Health Psychology Society decided that it was time to launch a journal in our field Health Psychology Review. The decision to launch this new journal was based on several beliefs, the most important being that the field needs good theories to accompany and guide empirical research. The first issues of Health Psychology Review included papers presenting theoretical and conceptual work, as well as evaluative and integrative reviews and interpretations of substantive issues in the general domain of health psychology. These papers illustrate the benefits of theory-based reviews that afford integrative theoretical formulations and that make innovative and stimulating connections between different areas of research. Papers such as these provide a framework for how we think about issues in health psychology and offer a roadmap for future initiatives. We would like to thank all of the authors who have submitted their work to Health Psychology Review and look forward to continuing to receive papers that advance theory and research in all areas of health psychology.
We, the associate editors and I, are also keen to publish special issues covering a theme in the general area of health psychology. If you have ideas for a special issue please do not hesitate to contact us. Proposals for a special issue should consist of a brief overview outlining the aims and scope of the issue and should be sent to Joop van der Pligt ([email protected]).
We are committed to this venture and the enthusiasm of editorial consultants, reviewers and authors indicates that many others share our commitment. The first few issues of the journal convinced us that the journal will provide an appropriate, international forum for theoretical work in the general area of health psychology.