RIA: Principal Investigator - Gerard J. Connors, Ph.D.

Principal Investigators of the Research Institute

Gerard J. Connors, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychology

Primary Research Areas

Alcoholism treatment outcome evaluation; relapse prevention; secondary prevention of alcohol problems.

Current Projects

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction in Alcoholism Treatment (funded by NIAAA). This investigation will examine MBSR’s benefits as an adjunctive intervention in the outpatient treatment of alcohol dependence. The study is being conducted in collaboration with Drs. Kimberly S. Walitzer, Nancy J. Smyth, UB School of Social Work, and Craig R. Colder, UB Department of Psychology.

Therapeutic Alliance as a Change Mechanism in Alcoholism Treatment (funded by NIAAA). This investigation will help characterize the interplay of the therapeutic alliance and alcohol involvement during and following an outpatient treatment episode. The study is being conducted in collaboration with Kurt H. Dermen, Ph.D., and Stephen A. Maisto (Syracuse University).

Research Training on Alcohol Etiology and Treatment (funded by NIAAA). Co-directing a program of specialized postdoctoral training for individuals seeking to pursue a career in alcohol research (in collaboration with R. Lorraine Collins, Ph.D. of UB’s School of Public Health and Health Professions).

Facilitating Involvement in AA During Alcoholism Outpatient Treatment (funded by NIAAA). Assessing the interrelationships between AA involvement, spirituality, and drinking outcomes (in collaboration with Co-Investigators Kimberly S. Walitzer, Ph.D. and Kurt H. Dermen, Ph.D.).

Dissemination of a MI-based Preparatory Procedure (funded by NIAAA). Investigating the dissemination and "real world" effectiveness of a motivational interviewing-(MI)-based preparatory procedure designed to reduce early attrition from alcoholism outpatient treatment (in collaboration with Principal Investigator Kimberly S. Walitzer, Ph.D. and Co-Investigator Kurt H. Dermen, Ph.D.).

Treatment Settings for Alcoholics: A Field Extension (funded by NIAAA). Replicating and extending into community field setting the investigative team's prior work on matching clients to inpatient versus outpatient alcoholism treatment (in collaboration with Principal Investigator Robert G. Rychtarik, Ph.D. and Co-Investigators Neil B. McGillicuddy, Ph.D. and Robert S. Whitney, M.D.).

Relapse Among Severely Mentally Ill Alcohol Abusers (funded by NIAAA). Investigating factors that predict who continues to drink following alcohol and mental health treatment versus those individuals who are able to maintain abstinence from alcohol (in collaboration with Principal Investigator Clara M. Bradizza, Ph.D. and Co-Investigators Paul R. Stasiewicz, Ph.D. and Stephen A. Maisto, Ph.D., Syracuse University).

On-going Research

Secondary Prevention of Alcohol Problems in Rural Areas (funded by NIAAA). Evaluating three secondary prevention drinking reduction interventions among problem drinkers (men and women) living in rural areas (in collaboration with Co-Investigator Kimberly S. Walitzer, Ph.D.).

Representative and Recent Publications

Maisto, S. A., Galizio, M., & Connors, G. J. (2008). Drug use and abuse. (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Maisto, S. A., Connors, G. J., & Dearing, R. L. (2007, in press). Alcohol use disorders. Gottingen: Hogrefe & Huber.

Walitzer, K. S., & Connors, G. J. (in press). Thirty-month follow-up of drinking moderation training for women: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

Maisto, S. A., & Connors, G. J. (Eds.) (2006). Relapse in the addictive behaviors. Special Issue of Clinical Psychology Review, 26.

Maisto, S. A., Zywiak, W. H., & Connors, G. J. (2006). Course of functioning one year following admission for treatment of alcohol use disorders. Addictive Behaviors, 31, 69-79.

Connors, G. J., & Stewart, S. H. (2004). Alcohol and other substance use disorders. In L. J. Haas (Ed.), Handbook of primary care psychology (pp. 187-200). New York: Oxford University Press.

Sobell, L. C., Sobell, M. B., Connors, G. J., & Agrawal, S. (2003). Assessing drinking outcomes in alcohol treatment efficacy studies: Selecting a yardstick of success. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 27, 1661-1666.

Connors, G. J., & Maisto, S. A. (2003). Drinking reports from collateral individuals. Addiction, 98 (Supplement 2), 21-29.

Connors, G. J., & Maisto, S. A. (2003). Drinking reports from collateral individuals. Addiction, 98, 21-29.

Connors, G. J., Walitzer, K. S., & Dermen, K. H. (2002). Preparing clients for alcoholism treatment: Effects on treatment participation and outcomes. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70, 1161-1169.

Connors, G. J., Donovan, D. M., & DiClemente, C. C. (2001). Substance abuse treatment and the stages of change: Selecting and planning interventions. New York: Guilford Press.