Current status of research activity in American child and adolescent psychiatry: II. A developmental analysis by age cohorts.

A survey designed to assess research activity was sent to 622 full-time child and adolescent psychiatric faculty at 127 academic programs. A 78.5% response rate was achieved. An examination of the responses of three age cohorts was conducted. Only about 10% of the respondents met the empirical definition of a researcher based on percentage of effort, publication, and funding. No increase in research activity was found for the youngest cohort, although significantly more younger women were holding academic appointments. Younger researchers identified psychobiological studies as a particular interest. Researchers at all ages identified a mentor program as a critical aspect of their training.