Journal of Happiness and Health (JOHAH) is an international, multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to advancing knowledge on the relationships between well-being and health. The journal provides a scholarly platform for high-quality research on psychological, emotional, social, and subjective well-being; life satisfaction; positive affect; character strengths; resilience; optimism; hope; quality of life; and related positive human attributes in the context of physical and mental health.

JOHAH welcomes original empirical studies, theoretical contributions, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and evidence-based perspectives from psychology, health sciences, medicine, sociology, education, family studies, public health, economics, and other relevant disciplines. The journal encourages interdisciplinary research that contributes to the understanding, promotion, and maintenance of health and well-being across diverse populations and cultural contexts.

Editorial Assessment

All manuscripts submitted to JOHAH undergo an editorial assessment to determine their suitability for consideration and peer review. Manuscripts are evaluated in accordance with the journal’s aims and scope, scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, ethical standards, and submission requirements.

Manuscripts may be declined at this stage if they:

• Fall outside the scope of the journal;
• Do not meet appropriate standards of scientific quality or methodological rigor;
• Lack sufficient originality or scholarly contribution;
• Have substantial problems in language, structure, or presentation; or
• Do not comply with relevant ethical or editorial requirements.

Manuscripts considered suitable for further evaluation are processed for external peer review.

Peer Review Process

JOHAH employs a double-anonymous peer-review process, in which the identities of authors and reviewers are concealed throughout the review process.

Manuscripts that proceed to peer review are evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with appropriate expertise in the relevant subject area. Reviewers are selected based on their academic qualifications, research expertise, and familiarity with the topic of the manuscript.

The peer-review process considers, where applicable:

• Originality and significance of the research;
• Theoretical and scholarly contribution;
• Appropriateness and rigor of the methodology;
• Quality and appropriateness of data analysis;
• Clarity and consistency of the presentation and interpretation of findings;
• Validity of the conclusions;
• Contribution to the existing literature; and
• Compliance with relevant ethical standards.

Reviewers are expected to provide objective, constructive, and confidential evaluations. They must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and must not use, share, or disclose information obtained through the review process for personal or professional purposes.

Editorial Decision

Editorial decisions are made by the journal’s editorial team based on the scientific evaluation of the manuscript and the recommendations provided through the peer-review process. Decisions may include acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection.

The journal seeks to ensure that editorial decisions are based on the scientific merit, originality, relevance, and ethical integrity of submitted manuscripts. All manuscripts are handled in accordance with the journal’s editorial policies and internationally recognized principles of publication ethics.

JOHAH is committed to maintaining a fair, consistent, transparent, and timely editorial and peer-review process while protecting the confidentiality and integrity of the review process.