RIA: Principal Investigator - Kimberly S. Walitzer, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Kimberly S. Walitzer, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychology

Primary Research Areas

Treatment outcome evaluation; spouse involvement in treatment; secondary prevention of alcohol problems; gender differences.

Current Projects

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 Kurt H. Dermen, Ph.D., Christopher Barrick, Ph.D., and Gerard J. Connors, Ph.D.).

On-going Research

Facilitating Involvement in AA During Alcoholism Outpatient Treatment (funded by NIAAA). Examining the effectiveness of two strategies designed to facilitate clients' involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous during alcoholism outpatient treatment (in collaboration with Gerard J. Connors, Ph.D. and Kurt H. Dermen, Ph.D.).

Spouse Involvement in the Treatment of Alcohol Problems (funded by NIAAA). Involving the drinker's spouse and marital therapy in treatment programs targeted to adults with mild to moderate alcohol problems (in collaboration with Kurt H. Dermen, Ph.D. and Gerard J. Connors, Ph.D.).

Representative and Recent Publications

Walitzer, K. S., & Connors, G. J. (2007). Thirty-month follow-up of drinking moderation training for women: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75, 501-507.

Walitzer, K. S., & Dearing, R. L. (2006). Gender differences in alcohol and substance use relapse. Clinical Psychology Review, 26, 128-148.

Barrick, C., & Walitzer, K. S. (2004). Problem drinking. In R. Coombs (Ed.), Addiction counseling review: Preparing for comprehensive, certification and licensing examinations (pp. 225-244). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Walitzer, K. S., & Dermen, K. H. (2004). Alcohol-focused spouse involvement and behavioral couples therapy: Evaluation of enhancements to drinking reduction treatment for male problem drinkers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 944-955.

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. & Walitzer, K.S. (2001). Reducing alcohol consumption among heavily-drinking women: Evaluating the contributions of life skills training and booster sessions. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 447-456.

Walitzer, K. S., & Connors, G. J. (1999). Treating problem drinking. Alcohol, Research, & Health, 23, 138-143.

Walitzer, K. S., Dermen, K. H., & Connors, G. J. (1999). Strategies for preparing clients for treatment: A review. Behavior Modification, 23, 129-151.

Walitzer, K. S. (1999). Family therapy. In R. E. Tarter, R. T. Ammerman, & P. J. Ott (Eds.), Sourcebook on substance abuse: Etiology, methodology, and intervention (pp. 337-349). New York: Allyn & Bacon.

Walitzer, K. S., & Connors, G. J. (1997). Gender and treatment of alcohol problems. In R. W. Wilsnack & S. C. Wilsnack (Eds.), Gender and alcohol: Individual and social perspectives (pp. 445-461). New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies.

Walitzer, K. S., & Sher, K. J. (1996). A prospective study of self-esteem and alcohol use disorders in early adulthood: Evidence for gender differences. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 20, 1118-1124.