Kurt H. Dermen PhD
Kurt H. Dermen
PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Addictions; Behavioral Health; Clinical Psychology; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Drug abuse; Substance Use Disorder
Professional Summary:
Dr. Dermen’s primary research focus has been on developing, evaluating and disseminating motivational and behavioral interventions for treatment of substance use disorders and for health risk reduction and health promotion in substance-using populations. His efforts have involved testing methods to facilitate AA involvement in treatment for alcohol use disorders, identifying factors that affect dissemination of an empirically-supported treatment innovation, developing and piloting a brief motivational intervention to promote oral health in the context of inpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder, and testing the impact of a protocol for tailoring treatment for alcohol use disorder on the basis of clients’ pretreatment drinking trajectories. Most recently, he has led efforts to create a web-delivered intervention based on motivational interviewing (MI) to promote oral health and has contributed to development of a brief, MI-based intervention for couples attending a pre- and post-natal parenting intervention, with the goal of reducing fathers' drinking.
Recently, Dr. Dermen established the UB Motivational Interviewing Center (UBMIC). As director of the UBMIC, Dr. Dermen oversees the Center's delivery of MI training, coaching, and consultation services to UB, the greater Western New York community, and beyond.
Education and Training:
- PhD, Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (1990)
- Fellowship, Clinical Fellow in Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (1989)
- Internship, Clinical Psychology Intern, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Brockton, Massachusetts (1989)
- BS, Psychology, Pennsylvania State University (1982)
Employment:
- Director, Motivational Interviewing Center, University at Buffalo VP of Research (2020-present)
- Senior Research Scientist, Psychiatry, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2018-present)
- Senior Research Scientist, Research Institute on Addictions (1998–2018)
- Project Coordinator, Research Institute on Addictions (1990–1998)
- Research Scientist, Research Institute on Addictions (1990–1998)
- Research Scientist, Psychology, University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences (1993–1995)
Awards and Honors:
- Dr. Kenneth Altshuler Award for Outstanding Contributions to Research in the Department of Psychiatry (2023)
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- May 2019–April 2024
Strong Foundations: Intervening to Promote Co-Parenting and Reduce Father Hazardous Drinking in Expectant Parents
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Investigator
$2,246,077 - September 2018–August 2022
Developing a Tailored, Web-delivered, Motivational Interviewing-based Intervention to Promote Oral Health
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Role: Principal Investigator
$438,625 - September 2019–August 2021
University at Buffalo Opioid Workforce Expansion Program Scholars (UB OWEP Scholars): Expanding the Opioid Workforce for High Need and High Demand Areas
Health Resources and Services Administration
Role: Co-Investigator - September 2017–August 2021
Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program
Health Resources and Services Administration
Role: Co-Investigator
$1,920,000 - July 2017–June 2020
Behavioral Health Integration in a Native American Primary Care Clinic – HRSA NEPQR
Health Resources and Services Administration
Role: Co-Investigator
$500,000 - May 2015–April 2020
Pretreatment Changes in Drinking: A Test of a Tailored Treatment Approach
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Investigator
$2,978,081 - July 2018–June 2019
Addressing Dental and Psychiatric Comorbidities in HIV / AIDS Patients
University of Rochester Department of Public Health Sciences
Role: Co-Investigator
$25,000 - July 2013–April 2017
Alcohol and Energy Drink Use, Expectancies, and Sexual Risk Taking
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Investigator - July 2004–June 2011
Dissemination of a MI-Based Preparatory Procedure
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Principal Investigator - April 2005–March 2011
Changes in Women’s HIV Risk Following Alcohol Treatment
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Principal Investigator - August 2007–July 2010
Therapeutic Alliance as a Change Mechanism in Alcohol Treatment
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Investigator - September 2005–August 2009
Brief Motivational Intervention to Promote Oral Health
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Role: Principal Investigator - September 2003–August 2009
Preventing Alcohol-Related STD/HIV and Assault
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Investigator - May 2003–April 2008
Restraint & Attributions: Risk Factors in Alcohol Abuse
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Principal Investigator - January 1999–December 2004
Facilitating Involvement in AA in Outpatient Treatment
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Principal Investigator - September 1999–August 2004
A Harm Reduction Approach for Reducing DWI Recidivism
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Principal Investigator - May 1999–April 2004
Adolescent Alcohol Use and High Risk Sexual Behavior
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Principal Investigator - September 1998–June 2003
Enhancing HIV Prevention through Drinking Reduction
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Principal Investigator - September 1996–February 1999
Matching Patients to Alcoholism Treatments: Buffalo CRU
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Principal Investigator - September 1994–February 1999
Spouse Involvement in the Treatment of Alcohol Problems
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Principal Investigator - September 1994–May 1998
Enhancing Involvement in Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Principal Investigator - December 1993–August 1995
Adolescent Alcohol Use and High Risk Sexual Behavior
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Godleski, S., Dermen, K., Feinberg, M., Colder, C., Verdaasdonk, E., & Eiden, R. D. (2024) Adaptation of a couples intervention to promote coparenting and reduce hazardous drinking during transition to parenthood. Families, Systems, and Health (Sep)
- Stasiewicz PR, Bradizza CM, Lucke JF, Zhao J, Dermen KH, Linn BK, Slosman KS, LaBarre C. (2023) Pretreatment changes in drinking: A test of a tailored treatment approach. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research (Feb).
- Chang YP, Casucci S, Roma N, Dermen K, Barrick C. (2020) Engaging Patients in Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care: A Technology-Based System to Facilitate Behavioral Health Screening for Patients in Rural and Underserved Areas. Computers, informatics, nursing : CIN (Nov), 39(4): 215-220.
- Stasiewicz PR, Bradizza CM, Ruszczyk MU, Lucke JF, Zhao J, Linn B, Slosman KS, Dermen KH. (2019) The Identification of Pretreatment Trajectories of Alcohol Use and Their Relationship to Treatment Outcome in Men and Women With Alcohol Use Disorder. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research (Dec), 43(12): 2637-2648. doi:10.1111/acer.14216
- Miller KE, Dermen KH, Lucke JF. (2018) Caffeinated energy drink use by U.S. adolescents aged 13-17: A national profile. Psychol Addict Behav (Sep), 32(6): 647-659.
- Bradizza CM, Brown WC, Ruszczyk MU, Dermen KH, Lucke JF, Stasiewicz PR. (2018) Difficulties in emotion regulation in treatment-seeking alcoholics with and without co-occurring mood and anxiety disorders. Addict Behav (May), 80: 6-13.
- Miller KE, Dermen KH, Lucke JF. (2017) Intoxication-Related Alcohol Mixed with Energy Drink Expectancies Scale: Initial Development and Validation. Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Jun), 41(6): 1228-1238.
- Dermen K. (2017) Brief motivational intervention delivered in the emergency department can reduce hazardous drinking and risky sexual behaviour. Evid Based Nurs (Jan), 20(2): 53-53.
- Przybyla SM, Eliseo-Arras RK, Krawiec G, Gower E, Dermen K, Dermen KH. (2016) Feasibility and Acceptability of a Smartphone App for Daily Reports of Substance Use and Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence among HIV-Infected Adults. AIDS Res Treat (Aug), 2016: 9510172-9510172.
- Walitzer KS, Dermen KH, Barrick C, Shyhalla K. (2015) Modeling the Innovation-Decision Process: Dissemination and Adoption of a Motivational Interviewing Preparatory Procedure In Addiction Outpatient Clinics. J Subst Abuse Treat (Oct), 57: 18-29.
- Bradizza CM, Stasiewicz PR, Dermen KH. (2014) Behavioral Interventions for Individuals Dually-Diagnosed with a Severe Mental Illness and a Substance Use Disorder. Curr Addict Rep (Dec), 1(4): 243-250.
- Dermen KH, Ciancio SG, Fabiano JA. (2014) A pilot test of motivational oral health promotion with alcohol-dependent inpatients. Health Psychol (Apr), 33(4): 392-395.
- Walitzer KS, Dermen KH, Shyhalla K, Kubiak A. (2013) Couple communication among problem drinking males and their spouses: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Family Therapy (Jan), 35: 229-251.
- Dermen KH, Thomas SN. (2011) Randomized controlled trial of brief interventions to reduce college students' drinking and risky sex. Psychol Addict Behav (Dec), 25(4): 583-594.
- Skewes MC, Dermen KH, Blume AW. (2011) Readiness to change and post-intervention drinking among Hispanic college students living on the US/Mexico border. Addict Behav (Mar), 36(3): 183-189.
- Walitzer KS, Dermen KH, Barrick C. (2009) Facilitating involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous during out-patient treatment: a randomized clinical trial. Addiction (Mar), 104(3): 391-401.
- Cooper ML, Krull JL, Agocha VB, Flanagan ME, Orcutt HK, Grabe S, Dermen KH, Jackson M. (2008) Motivational pathways to alcohol use and abuse among Black and White adolescents. J Abnorm Psychol (Aug), 117(3): 485-501.
- Contrino KM, Dermen KH, Nochajski TH, Wieczorek WF, Navratil PK. (2007) Compliance and learning in an intervention program for partner-violent men. J Interpers Violence (Dec), 22(12): 1555-1566.
- Stasiewicz PR, Herrman D, Nochajski TH, Dermen KH. (2006) Motivational interviewing – Engaging highly resistant clients in treatment. Counselor: the Magazine for Addiction Professionals (Jan), 7: 26-32.
- Dearing RL, Barrick C, Dermen KH, Walitzer KS. (2005) Indicators of client engagement: influences on alcohol treatment satisfaction and outcomes. Psychol Addict Behav (Mar), 19(1): 71-78.
- Walitzer KS, Dermen KH. (2004) Alcohol-focused spouse involvement and behavioral couples therapy: evaluation of enhancements to drinking reduction treatment for male problem drinkers. J Consult Clin Psychol (Dec), 72(6): 944-955.
- Araujo MW, Dermen K, Connors G, Ciancio S. (2004) Oral and dental health among inpatients in treatment for alcohol use disorders: a pilot study. J Int Acad Periodontol (Oct), 6(4): 125-130.
- Connors GJ, Walitzer KS, Dermen KH. (2002) Preparing clients for alcoholism treatment: effects on treatment participation and outcomes. J Consult Clin Psychol (Oct), 70(5): 1161-1169.
- Dermen KH, Cooper ML. (2000) Inhibition conflict and alcohol expectancy as moderators of alcohol‘s relationship to condom use. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol (May), 8(2): 198-206.
- Rychtarik RG, Connors GJ, Dermen KH, Stasiewicz PR. (2000) Alcoholics Anonymous and the use of medications to prevent relapse: an anonymous survey of member attitudes. J Stud Alcohol (Jan), 61(1): 134-138.
- Connors GJ, DiClemente CC, Dermen KH, Kadden R, Carroll KM, Frone MR. (2000) Predicting the therapeutic alliance in alcoholism treatment. J Stud Alcohol (Jan), 61(1): 139-149.
- Walitzer KS, Dermen KH, Connors GJ. (1999) Strategies for preparing clients for treatment. A review. Behav Modif (Jan), 23(1): 129-151.
- Testa M, Dermen KH. (1999) The differential predictors of sexual coercion and rape. Journal of Interpersonal Violence (Jan), 14: 548-561.
- Connors GJ, Collins RL, Dermen KH, Koutsky JR. (1998) Substance use restraint: An extension of the construct to a clinical population. Cognitive Therapy and Research (Jan), 22: 75-87.
- Dermen KH, Cooper ML, Agocha VB. (1998) Sex-related alcohol expectancies as moderators of the relationship between alcohol use and risky sex in adolescents. J Stud Alcohol (Jan), 59(1): 71-77.
- Connors GJ, Dermen KH. (1996) Characteristics of participants in secular organizations for sobriety (SOS). Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse (May), 22(2): 281-295.
- Zweben A, Donovan DM, Randall CL, Barrett D, Dermen K, Kabela E, McRee B, Meyers R, Rice C, Rosengren D, Dermen KH. (1994) Issues in the development of subject recruitment strategies and eligibility criteria in multisite trials of matching. J Stud Alcohol Suppl (Dec), 12: 62-69.
- Dermen KH, Cooper ML. (1994) Sex-related alcohol expectancies among adolescents: I. Scale development. Psychol Addict Behav (Jan), 8: 152-160.
- Dermen KH, Cooper ML. (1994) Sex-related alcohol expectancies among adolescents: II. Prediction of drinking in social and sexual situations. Psychol Addict Behav (Jan), 8: 161-168.
- George WH, Dermen KH, Nochajski TH. (1989) Expectancy set, self-reported expectancies and predispositional traits: predicting interest in violence and erotica. J Stud Alcohol (Nov), 50(6): 541-551.
- Dermen KH, George WH. (1989) Alcohol expectancy and the relationship between drinking and physical aggression. J Psychol (Mar), 123(2): 153-161.
- George WH, Dermen KH. (1988) Self-reported alcohol expectancies for self and other as a function of behavior type and dosage set. J Subst Abuse (Jan), 1(1): 71-78.
Books and Book Chapters:
- Dermen KH. (2017) The Sage encyclopedia of abnormal and clinical psychology. In: Secular Organizations for Sobriety. Sage Publications
- Collins RL, Dermen KH. (2004) Encyclopedia of health and behavior. In: Alcohol abuse and dependence. Sage Publications, 32-37.
- Connors GJ, Maisto SA, Dermen KH. (1992) Drug and alcohol abuse reviews. In: Alcohol-related expectancies and their applications to treatment. Humana
- Connors GJ, Dermen KH, Duerr M. (1992) SOS sobriety. In: SOS membership survey: Preliminary results. Prometheus
Professional Memberships:
- American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (2022–present)
- Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (1997–present)
- American Psychological Association (1991–present)
- Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (1990–present)
Service Activities:
- Research Institute on Addictions Scientific Review Committee; Chair (2017–2018)
- Research Institute on Addictions Treatment Advisory Committee (2016)
- Social/Behavioral Science Scientific Review Working Group; Member (2015–2016)
- Research Institute on Addictions Executive Advisory Committee (2012–2018)
- Stutzman Addiction Treatment Center Community Advisory Board, Buffalo, NY; Board member (2006–2016)
- Research Institute on Addictions Scientist Search Committee (2006–2008)
- Institutional Review Board (2005–2015)
- Research Institute on Addictions Post-Doctoral Training Program; Lecturer, Mentor (2002–2018)
- Research Institute on Addictions Research Development Committee; Member; Chair 2016-2018 (2000–2018)
- NIAAA, NIDCR, NIH; Reviewer (1997–present)
- Research Institute on Addictions Emergency Response Team; Member; Chair 1998-2009 (1994–2009)
- Research Institute on Addictions Seminar Series Committee (1994–1997)
- Research Institute on Addictions Research Development Program; Lecturer, Preceptor (1990–1998)