Kelly S. DeMartini, PhD
Cards
About
Research
Overview
My research is broadly aimed at the development of treatments and interventions for alcohol use across patient populations, including young adult drinkers and patients with alcohol use disorders and medical comorbidities. Epidemiological data indicate that rates of heavy drinking in young adults have not decreased, despite decades of intensive research to develop efficacious interventions for this population. Among all those over 18 years of age in the United States, approximately 25% report binge drinking in the past month. Across populations, heavy alcohol consumption is associated with a host of negative consequences, including legal, medical, relational and other problems, even alcohol-related death. A great deal more research is needed to develop novel alcohol use interventions and to identify mechanisms to maximize the benefit of current treatments.
My research focuses on:
1. The development of mobile technology-based interventions, including SMS-based, smartphone, and wearable platforms
2. Quantitative modeling (including person-centered models and Baysian models) of factors related to trajectories of alcohol use both during and post-treatment
3. Understanding factors, including gender, that mediate or moderate alcohol treatment response
4. The development of brief alcohol interventions for young adult drinkers
I have a particular interest in the development of technology-based treatments for hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders, especially for patients with comorbid medical conditions. These conditions can limit a patient's ability to travel for treatment; provide adjunct care via technology-based interventions can provide necessary, additional support. For young adults, technology-based treatments can increase their willingness to participate in treatment and match their preferences for how to engage providers.
Overall, my research aims to develop efficacious treatments for alcohol use disorders, particularly treatments that can be accessed outside of the typical treatment setting. Building these treatments requires thorough understanding of key treatment mediators and moderators, including those that vary over time. Treatments that increase access to care and account for these person-specific mediators could greatly increase efficacy.
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
Publications
Featured Publications
Dynamic structural equation modeling of the relationship between alcohol habit and drinking variability
DeMartini KS, Gueorguieva R, Taylor JR, Krishnan-Sarin S, Pearlson G, Krystal JH, O'Malley SS. Dynamic structural equation modeling of the relationship between alcohol habit and drinking variability. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2021, 233: 109202. PMID: 35151022, PMCID: PMC10046111, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109202.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMapping data‐driven individualized neurobehavioral phenotypes in heavy alcohol drinkers
DeMartini KS, Gueorguieva R, Pearlson G, Krishnan‐Sarin S, Anticevic A, Ji LJ, Krystal JH, O’Malley S. Mapping data‐driven individualized neurobehavioral phenotypes in heavy alcohol drinkers. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2021, 45: 841-853. PMID: 33605439, DOI: 10.1111/acer.14580.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsConfirmatory factor analysisIncentive salienceNeurofunctional domainsAlcohol use disorderExecutive functionLatent factorsPhysical neglectSelf-report measuresChildhood emotional abuseUse disordersChildhood physical neglectEarly life stressSignificant predictorsMultiple significant predictorsMultiple causes modelCurrent AUDNegative emotionalityAddiction developmentEmotional abuseChildhood neglectFactor structureDrinking frequencySalienceCause modelFactor analysisThe Impact of Integrated Behavioral Healthcare on Glycemic Control
MacGregor KL, DeMartini KS, Barry-Menkhaus SA, Derr AG, Thompson MJ. The Impact of Integrated Behavioral Healthcare on Glycemic Control. Journal Of Clinical Psychology In Medical Settings 2021, 29: 636-644. PMID: 34436717, DOI: 10.1007/s10880-021-09817-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGlycemic controlMetabolic statusBehavioral health encountersPost-intervention slopeStandard of carePatient's metabolic statusBehavioral healthcareDiabetes outcomesHealth encountersPsychosocial factorsBehavioral healthSignificant linear decreaseVisitsAdultsMixed effectsSlope trajectoriesHbA1cHealthcareClinicCareA Multimodal Mobile Sleep Intervention for Young Adults Engaged in Risky Drinking: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Fucito LM, Ash GI, DeMartini KS, Pittman B, Barnett NP, Li CR, Redeker NS, O'Malley SS. A Multimodal Mobile Sleep Intervention for Young Adults Engaged in Risky Drinking: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint). JMIR Research Protocols 2021, 10: e26557. PMID: 33635276, PMCID: PMC7954653, DOI: 10.2196/26557.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSleep hygiene adviceINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERHeavy-drinking young adultsHygiene adviceSleep interventionsYoung adultsAlcohol diaryAlcohol use disorder riskRisky alcohol consumptionAlcohol use disorderLow-cost interventionAlcohol behavior changeControlled TrialsWeb-based sessionsBrief adviceHealth coachesRisk factorsPoor sleepRecent heavy drinkingSleep characteristicsUse disordersAlcohol consumptionAlcohol-related consequencesPriority populationsSecondary aimText Messaging to Reduce Alcohol Relapse in Prelisting Liver Transplant Candidates: A Pilot Feasibility Study
DeMartini KS, Schilsky ML, Palmer A, Fehon DC, Zimbrean P, O'Malley SS, Lee HB, Toll BA. Text Messaging to Reduce Alcohol Relapse in Prelisting Liver Transplant Candidates: A Pilot Feasibility Study. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2018, 42: 761-769. PMID: 29498753, PMCID: PMC6438371, DOI: 10.1111/acer.13603.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcoholic liver diseaseLiver transplant candidatesLiver transplant patientsStandard careEfficacy outcomesTransplant patientsTransplant candidatesFeasibility outcomesTM participantsAlcohol interventionsClinical efficacy outcomesLiver transplantation programPreliminary efficacy outcomesPrimary feasibility outcomePilot feasibility trialPilot feasibility studyRelapse prevention interventionsBetter treatment outcomesLiver diseaseFeasibility trialUnited NetworkTransplantation programIntervention satisfactionTreatment outcomesAlcohol relapseSensitivity, specificity, and tolerability of the BACTrack Skyn compared to other alcohol monitoring approaches among young adults in a field‐based setting
Ash GI, Gueorguieva R, Barnett NP, Wang W, Robledo DS, DeMartini KS, Pittman B, Redeker NS, O’Malley S, Fucito LM. Sensitivity, specificity, and tolerability of the BACTrack Skyn compared to other alcohol monitoring approaches among young adults in a field‐based setting. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2022, 46: 783-796. PMID: 35567595, PMCID: PMC9179100, DOI: 10.1111/acer.14804.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDrinking Goals and Attainment in a Naltrexone Trial of Young Adult Heavy Drinkers
DeMartini KS, Foster DW, Corbin WR, Fucito LM, Romano D, Leeman RF, Kranzler HR, O’Malley S. Drinking Goals and Attainment in a Naltrexone Trial of Young Adult Heavy Drinkers. Journal Of Consulting And Clinical Psychology 2018, 86: 765-774. PMID: 30138015, PMCID: PMC6435339, DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000323.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTreatment outcomesAdult heavy drinkersYoung adult heavy drinkersHeavy drinkersDrinking goalEnd of treatmentPeak drinkingBetter treatment outcomesAlcohol use disorderImpact treatment outcomesTypical drinkingYoung adult drinkersEfficacy trialsUse disordersBrief counselingGoal settingIntervention effectsGoal-setting exercisesAdult drinkersDrinkersOutcomesDrinkingTreatmentImportant targetMidtreatment
2024
Natural language processing in mixed-methods evaluation of a digital sleep-alcohol intervention for young adults
Griffith F, Ash G, Augustine M, Latimer L, Verne N, Redeker N, O’Malley S, DeMartini K, Fucito L. Natural language processing in mixed-methods evaluation of a digital sleep-alcohol intervention for young adults. Npj Digital Medicine 2024, 7: 342. PMID: 39613828, PMCID: PMC11606959, DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01321-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchYoung adultsLanguage processingEvaluating young adultsControl participantsHeavy drinkingSleep factorsImprove sleepNatural language processingPersonalized feedbackParticipation motivationParticipantsSleepAdultsMixed-methods evaluationControl interventionsInterventionConvergent mixed methodsMotivationIncreased awarenessAlcoholDesigning clinical trials to address alcohol use and alcohol-associated liver disease: an expert panel Consensus Statement
Lee B, Witkiewitz K, Mellinger J, Anania F, Bataller R, Cotter T, Curtis B, Dasarathy S, DeMartini K, Diamond I, Diazgranados N, DiMartini A, Falk D, Fernandez A, German M, Kamath P, Kidwell K, Leggio L, Litten R, Louvet A, Lucey M, McCaul M, Sanyal A, Singal A, Sussman N, Terrault N, Thursz M, Verna E, Radaeva S, Nagy L, Mitchell M. Designing clinical trials to address alcohol use and alcohol-associated liver disease: an expert panel Consensus Statement. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2024, 21: 626-645. PMID: 38849555, PMCID: PMC11829730, DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00936-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAlcohol-associated liver diseaseAlcohol use disorderLiver diseaseClinical trialsRisk of decompensation of liver diseaseAlcohol useUse disorderTreatment of alcohol use disordersExpert panel consensus statementDecompensation of liver diseaseAddiction medicine specialistsProgression of liver diseaseLiver-related outcomesNational Institute of Alcohol AbuseDesigning clinical trialsEffects of alcohol useConsensus of expert opinionTask ForceConsensus statementMedicine specialistsAlcohol abuseHeavy drinkingDiseaseClinical trialistsPatients
2022
Within‐ and between‐person effects of naltrexone on the subjective response to alcohol and craving: A daily diary investigation
Waddell JT, Corbin WR, MacKinnon DP, Leeman RF, DeMartini KS, Fucito LM, Kranzler HR, O’Malley S. Within‐ and between‐person effects of naltrexone on the subjective response to alcohol and craving: A daily diary investigation. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2022, 46: 477-491. PMID: 35076087, PMCID: PMC9679805, DOI: 10.1111/acer.14780.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedication dosageYoung adultsLight drinkingSubjective responsesSubjective effectsHeavy drinkingPlacebo-controlled studyEffect sizePerson effectsEffective treatmentNaltrexoneDrinking daysNaltrexone efficacySmall effect sizesDrinking levelsCravingDrinkingAdultsLaboratory-based studiesPillsMomentary assessmentEfficacyTreatment conditionsDrinking environmentsDaily diary data
Clinical Care
Overview
Kelly S. DeMartini, PhD, is a licensed clinical health psychologist whose work focuses on addiction and behavioral medicine, as well as digestive diseases. As a clinician, she works with individuals who have been diagnosed with both compensated and decompensated liver disease, including those who also experience alcohol use disorders. The goal of her clinical work is to help her patients understand their specific relationships between physical and mental health and develop approaches that promote healthier behaviors.
“My favorite part of working with patients with liver disease is helping them to utilize their own strengths and build new strategies to better manage their illness and its complications,” DeMartini says. “I like being part of their medical team that is safe from judgement and can, instead, enhance their care.” Providing team-based, personalized care for patients who often experience significant social stigma around their disease and building relationships that bolster motivation to increase health-enhancing behaviors is one of the key factors that drew her to the care of patients with liver disease.
As a research scientist at Yale School of Medicine, DeMartini studies the development and utilization of technology-based substance use and lifestyle health interventions. A key goal of her work is to utilize wearable and smartphone technologies for clinical digital phenotyping. This objective, data-driven measurement of individual health and functioning via personal biosensors can help build understanding of the connections among substance use and other health behaviors, including sleep, cardiac and respiratory functioning, and physical activity. By translating these insights into technology-based health interventions, she aims to increase access to holistic, effective care that integrates personalized biological data for individuals with alcohol use disorders.
DeMartini completed her doctoral training at Syracuse University and pursued predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships at Yale School of Medicine. She serves on the national Alcoholic Hepatitis Network project, contributing to the development of clinical trial guidelines for patients with co-occurring alcohol use disorders and alcoholic liver disease.
Clinical Specialties
News & Links
News
- December 03, 2024Source: Nature Digital Medicine
Natural Language Processing in Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Digital Sleep-Alcohol Intervention For Young Adults
- August 03, 2024
Addressing Behavioral Health in Patients With End-stage Liver Disease
- April 10, 2023
Fucito, DeMartini Awarded Grant by NIAAA
- May 18, 2022
Yale Researchers Compare BACTrack Skyn to Other Alcohol Monitoring Approaches
Get In Touch
Contacts
Psychological Medicine Section
Psychiatry, 20 York St., Fitkin Building
New Haven, CT 06510
United States