James Neff

M.P.H. in Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, (1995)

Ph.D. in Medical Sociology/Mental Health; Minor: Applied Statistics, Florida State University, (1977)

M.S. in Sociology, Florida State University, (1975)

B.S. in Sociology and Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, (1974)

Research Interests

Dr. Neff's Research interests include research methodology, health disparities, alcohol/substance use, and substance abuse prevention and treatment approaches.

Articles

Neff, J. Alan., Kelley, M., Walters, S. T., Cunningham, T. D., Paulson, J., Braitman, A., Brickhouse, T. H., Gunsolley, J. C., Darby, M. M., Lemaster, M. F., Vandersluis, J. Patrick ., Walsh, M. and Lauzun, H. (2014). Effectiveness of a Screening and Brief Intervention protocol for heavy drinkers in dental practice: A cluster-randomized trial. Journal of Health Psychology.

Neff, J. Alan., Walters, S. T.., Braitman, A., Kelley, M., Paulson, J., Brickhouse, T. H.., Gunsolley, J. C.., Darby, M. M., Lemaster, M. F., Vandersluis, J. Patrick. and Walsh, M. (2013). A Brief Intervention for Heavy Drinkers in Dental Practice: Rationale and Development. Journal of Health Psychology 18 (4) , pp. 542 -553.

Hudson, J. S.., Neff, J. Alan. and Padilla, M. A.. (2012). Predictors of Physician Use of Inpatient Electronic Health Records: An Heuristic Model. American Journal of Managed Care (18) , pp. 201 – 206.

Neff, J. Alan. (2011). Commentary on Borelli, B. ‘Maximizing Treatment Fidelity In Public Health Clinical Trials’. Journal of Public Health Dentistry 71 , pp. S66.

Neff, J. Alan. and Paulson, J. (2011). Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Concept Mapping Based Measures of Dimensions of Faith-Based Substance Abuse Treatment. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 29 , pp. 3 - 22.

Neff, J. Alan., Lynch, C. and Downs, J. (2010). Alcohol use, predisposing, enabling, and oral health need variables as predictors of dental service use in the 2002 National Health Examination Survey. Substance Use and Misuse 45 , pp. 1930 - 1947.

Neff, J. Alan. (2010). Confirmatory Factor Anaysis Validation of a Four-Factor Measure of Spirituality--Religiosity for Use in Diverse Substance Abuse Treatment Populations. Review of Religious Research 52 (1) , pp. 41 - 56.

Kim, Y. and Neff, J. Alan. (2010). Direct and Indirect Effects of Parental Influence upon Adolescent Alcohol Use: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis. Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse 19 (3) , pp. 244 - 260.

Neff, J. Alan. (2008). A New Multi-dimensional Measure of Spirituality-Religiosity for Use in Diverse Substance Abuse Treatment Populations. Journal of the Scientific Study of Religon , pp. 393-409.

Neff, J. Alan., Shorkey, C. and Cambraia-Windsor, L. (2006). Comparing Faith-Based and Traditional Substance Abuse Treatment Programs. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment , pp. 49-61.

Neff, J. Alan. (2006). Exploring the Dimensionality of 'Religiosity' and 'Spirituality' in the Fetzer Multidimensional Measure. Journal of the Scientific Study of Religion , pp. 449-459.

Neff, J. Alan., Debate, R., Vogel, E. and Tedesco, L. (2006). Sex Differences among Dentists Regarding Eating Disorders and Secondary Prevention Practices. Journal of the American Dental Association , pp. 773-781.

Neff, J. Alan. and MacMaster, S. (2005). Applying Behavior Change Models to Understand Spiritual Mechanisms Underlying Change in Substance Abuse Treatment. American Journal of Alcohol and Drug Abuse , pp. 1-16.

Neff, J. Alan. and MacMaster, S. (2005). Spiritual Mechanisms Underlying Substance Abuse Behavior Change in Faith-Based Substance Abuse Treatment. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions , pp. 33-54.

Neff, J. Alan., Holleran, L., Taylor, M. and Pomeroy, E. (2005). Substance Abuse Prevention for High Risk Youth: Exploring Culture and Alcohol and Drug Use. Alcoholism Treatment Quaterly , pp. 165-184.

Neff, J. Alan., Crawford, S. and MacMaster, S. (2003). Ethnicity and Multiple Sex Partners: An Application of the Health Belief Model. Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services , pp. 41-65.

Neff, J. Alan., Cummings, S. and Husaini, B. (2003). Functional Impairment as a Predictor of Depressive Symtomatology: The Role of Race, Religiosity, and Social Support. Health & Social Work , pp. 23-32.

Neff, J. Alan., Amodei, N. and Valescu, S. (2003). Psyschological Adaptation and Distress Among HIV+ Latina Women: Adaptation to HIV in a Mexican American Cultural Context. Social Work in Health Care , pp. 55-74.

Neff, J. Alan., Linn, J., Theriot, R., Harris, J., Interrante, J. and Graham, M. (2003). Reaching Impaired Populations with HIV Prevention Programs: A Clinical Trial for Homeless Mentally Ill African-American Ment. Celluar and Molecular Biology (1167-75).

Neff, J. Alan. and Zule, W. (2002). Predictive Validity of a Measure of Treatment Readiness for Out-of-Treatment Drug Users: Enhancing Prediction Beyond Demographic and Drug History Variables. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse , pp. 1-24.

Neff, J. Alan., Zule, W. and Desmond, D. (2002). Syringe Type and Drug Injector Risk for HIV Infection: A Case Study In Texas. Social Science and Medicine , pp. 1103-1113.

Neff, J. Alan., MacMaster, S. and Vail, K. (2002). Xchange Point: A Drop-in Center for African American Active Injection Drug Users. Health & Social Work , pp. 227-229.

Neff, J. Alan. (2001). A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of a Measure of "Machismo" Among Anglo, African American and Mexican American Male Drinkers. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Science , pp. 171-188.

Neff, J. Alan. and Davey, T. (2001). A Shelter-Based Stress-Reduction Intervention Targeting Self-Esteem and Behavior Problems among Homeless Children. The Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness , pp. 279-291.

Neff, J. Alan. and Zule, W. (2000). Development of a Measure of Treatment Rediness for Out of Treatment Drug Users: Psychometric Properties and Construct Validity. Substance Use and Misuse , pp. 585-599.

Neff, J. Alan. and Holden, P. (2000). Intensive Outpatient Treatment of Persons With Mental Retardation and Psyschiatric Disorder. Mental Redardation , pp. 27-32.

Neff, J. Alan., Amodei, N., Martinez, C. and Ingmundson, P. (1999). HIV/AIDS Mental Health Training for Health Care Providers: An Evaluation of Three Models. American Journal of OrthoPsychiatry (240-246).

Neff, J. Alan. and Dassori, A. (1998). Age and 'Maturing Out' of Heavy Drinking Among Anglo and Minority Male Drinkers: A Comparison of Cross-sectional Data and Retrospective Drinking History Techniques. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences , pp. 225-240.

Neff, J. Alan., Gaskill, S., Prihoda, T., Weiner, R. and Rydel, K. (1998). CME vs. Clinic-Based STD/HIV Education Interventions for Primary Care Service Providers: Republican and Extension. AIDS Education and Prevention , pp. 417-432.

Neff, J. Alan. and Mantz, R. (1998). Marital Status Transition Alcohol Consumption, and Number of Sex Partners over Time in a Tri-Ethnic Sample. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage , pp. 19-42.

Neff, J. Alan., Gaskill, S., Weiner, R., Prihoda, T., Brown, H., Newton, E. and Smith, J. (1998). Preliminary Evaluation of CME vs. Clinic-Based STD Education Interventions for Primary Care Practitioners. Teaching and Learning in Medicine , pp. 74-82.

Neff, J. Alan. (1998). The Health Belief Model and HIV Risk Behaviors: A Casual Model Analysis Among Anglos, African-Americans, and Mexican-Americans. Ethnicity and Health , pp. 283-299.

Neff, J. Alan., Dassori, A., Jeffreys, M. and Tekell, J. (1997). Impact of Holding Beds on Utilization of Psychiatric Impatient Services. Journal of Emergency Psychiatry , pp. 49-52.

Neff, J. Alan. (1997). Solitary Drinking, Social Isolation, and Heavy Drinking Among Anglo, African-American, and Mexican American Male Drinkers. Alcohol and Alcoholism , pp. 33-41.

Neff, J. Alan. and Burge, S. (1995). Alcohol Use, Psychosocial Factors, and Race/Ethnicity as Predictors of Sexual Behavior. Journal of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology , pp. 302-312.

Neff, J. Alan., Stedman, J., Donahoe, C., Kopel, K. and Hays, J. (1995). Applicant Characterization of the Most Desirable Psychology Internship Training Program. Professional Psychology , pp. 396-400.

Neff, J. Alan., Stedman, J. and Morrow, D. (1995). Career Pathways and Current Practice Patterns of Clinical and Counseling Psychologists: A Follow-up Study of Former Interns. Journal of Clinical Psychology , pp. 441-448.

Neff, J. Alan., Holamon, B. and Schluter, T. (1995). Spousal Violence among Anglos, Blacks, and Mexican Americans: The Role Demographic Factors, Psychosocial Factors, and Alcohol Use. Journal of Family Violence , pp. 1-21.

Neff, J. Alan. (1994). Adult Children of Alcoholic or Mentally Ill Parents: Alcohol Consumption and Psychological Distress in a Tri-Ethnic Community Sample. Addictive Behaviors , pp. 185-197.

Neff, J. Alan., Dassori, A. and Hoppe, S. (1993). Ethnic and Gender Differences in the Diagnostic Profiles of Substance Abusers. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences , pp. 382-390.

Neff, J. Alan. (1993). Life Stress, Drinking Patterns, and Depressive Symptomatology: Etnicity and Stress-Buffer Effects of Alcohol. Addictive Behaviors , pp. 373-387.

Neff, J. Alan. and Schluter, T. (1993). Marital Status and Depressive Symptoms: The Role of Race/Ethnicity and Sex. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage , pp. 137-160.

Neff, J. Alan. and Hoppe, S. (1993). Race/Ethnicity, Acculturation, and Psychological Distress: Fatalism and Religiosity as Cultural Resources. Journal of Community Psychology , pp. 3-19.

Neff, J. Alan. and Hoppe, S. (1992). Acculturation and Drinking Patterns among Anglos, Blacks, and Mexican Americans. Alcohol and Alcoholism , pp. 293-308.

Neff, J. Alan., Gilbert, K. and Hoppe, S. (1991). Divorce Likelihood among Anglos and Mexican Americans. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage , pp. 75-90.

Neff, J. Alan., Prihoda, T. and Hoppe, S. (1991). Machismo, Self-esteem, Education, and High Maximum Drinking among Anglo, Black, and Mexican American Male Drinkers. Journal of Studies on Alcohol , pp. 458-469.

Neff, J. Alan. and McFall, S. (1990). Explaining Trends in the Use of V.A. Inpatient Psychiatric Services. Health Services Research , pp. 257-268.

Neff, J. Alan., Hoppe, S. and Perea, P. (1987). Acculturation and Alcohol Use: Drinking Patterns and Problems among Anglo and Mexican American Male Drinkers. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences , pp. 151-181.

Neff, J. Alan., McFall, S. and Cleaveland, T. (1987). Declining Psychiatric Specialty Choice: A Sociology of Knowledge Interpretation. Sociology of Health and Illness , pp. 45-61.

Neff, J. Alan. and Husaini, B. (1987). Urbanicity, Race, and Psychological Distress. Journal of Community Psychology , pp. 520-536.

Neff, J. Alan. (1986). Alcohol Consumption and Psycholoical Distress among Anglos, Hispanics, and Blacks. Alcohol and Alcoholism , pp. 111-119.

Neff, J. Alan. (1985). Evalutaing the Stress-Buffering Role of Alcohol Consumption: The Importance of Type of Event and Type of Symptom. Alcohol and Alcoholism , pp. 391-401.

Neff, J. Alan. and Husaini, B. (1985). Lay Images of Mental Health: Social Knowledge and Intolerance of the Mentally Ill. Journal of Community Psychology , pp. 3-12.

Neff, J. Alan. (1985). Race and Vulnerability to Stress: An Examination of Differential Vulnerability. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , pp. 481-491.

Neff, J. Alan. and Husaini, B. (1985). Stress-Buffer Properties of Alcohol Consumption: The Role of Urbanicity and Religous Identification . Journal of Health and Social Behavior , pp. 207-222.

Neff, J. Alan. (1984). Race Differences in Psychological Distress: The Effects of SES, Urbanicity, and Measurement Strategy. American Journal of Community Psychology , pp. 337-351.

Neff, J. Alan. (1984). The Stress-Buffering Role of Alcohol Consumption: The Importance of Symptom Dimension. Journal of Human Stress , pp. 35-42.

Neff, J. Alan. (1983). Urbanicity and Psychological Disorder Reconsidered: The Evidence Regarding Depressive Symptomatology. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease , pp. 546-552.

Neff, J. Alan. and Husaini, B. (1982). Life Events, Drinking Patterns, and Depressive Symptomatology: The Stress Buffering Role of Alcohol Consumption. Journal of Studies on Alcohol , pp. 301-318.

Neff, J. Alan., Husaini, B., Newbrough, J. and Moore, M. (1982). The Stress-Buffering Role of Social Support and Personal Competence Among the Rural Married. Journal of Community Psychology , pp. 409-420.

Neff, J. Alan. (1982). Who's to blame for limited health care use by the poor?. American Sociological Review , pp. 554-557.

Neff, J. Alan. and Husaini, B. (1981). Social Class and Depressive Symptomatology: The Role of Life Change Events and Locus of Control. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease , pp. 638-647.

Neff, J. Alan. and Husaini, B. (1980). Characteristics of Life Events and Psychiatric Imapairment in Rural Communities. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease , pp. 159-166.

Neff, J. Alan., Husaini, B., Harrington, J., Huges, M. and Stone, R. (1980). Depression in Rural Communities: Validating the CES-D Scale. Journal of Community Psychology , pp. 20-27.

Neff, J. Alan. (1980). Interactional vs. Hypothetical Others: The Use of Vignettes in Attitude Research. Sociology and Social Research , pp. 105-121.

Neff, J. Alan., Husaini, B. and McCorkel, R. (1980). Pyschiatric and Medical Problems in Rural Communities. Social Science and Medicine , pp. 331-336.

Neff, J. Alan. and Husaini, B. (1980). Race, Socio-Economic Status, and Psychiatric Impairment: A Research Note. Journal of Community Psychology , pp. 16-19.

Neff, J. Alan. and Constantine, R. (1979). Community Dissatisfaction and Perceived Residental Alternatives: Interactive Model of the Formulation of Migration Plans. Journal of Population: Behavioral, Social and Environment Issues , pp. 18-32.

Neff, J. Alan., Husaini, B. and Stone, R. (1979). Psychiatric Impairment in Rural Communities. Journal of Community Psychology , pp. 137-146.

Neff, J. Alan. and Orcutt, J. (1978). Deviance and Definitional Processes: A Conceptual and Empirical Analysis. Sociological Quaterly , pp. 376-385.

Neff, J. Alan. (1978). Experimental Research as Practical Action: Stooge Detection and Bias. Symbolic Interaction , pp. 61-73.

Book Chapters

Neff, J. Alan. (1993). Alcohol Use and HIV Risk Behaviors among Anglo, African-American, and Latino Adults (pp. 17-31) San Diego, California: Proceedings of the Alcohol Impairment and HIV Risk Conference.

Neff, J. Alan. (1991). Race/Ethnicity and Drinking Patters: The Role of Sociodemographic Factors and Drinking Motives/Expetancies (pp. 339-358) New Jersey: Society, Culture and Drinking Patterns Re-examined.

Neff, J. Alan. (1990). Mental Health Implications of AIDS: Discussion (pp. 251-260) Austin, Texas: Mental Health Research in Texas: Retrospect and Prospect.

Neff, J. Alan. and Husaini, B. (1982). The Prevalence of Psychopathology in Rural Tennessee and Oklahoma New York: Handbook of Rural Community Mental Health.

Neff, J. Alan. and Husaini, B. (1979). Psychiatric Impairment and Service Utilization in Rural Communities Maine: Rural Health Care and the Land Grant Institution: Emerging Roles and Responsibilities for the 1980's.

Neff, J. Alan. and Husaini, B. (1979). The Mental Health Needs of a Rural Tennessee Community: A Preliminary Report (pp. 38-39) Washington, D.C.: Evaluation in Practice: A Sourcebook of Program Evaluation Studies from Mental Health Care Systems in the United States.

Presentations

Neff, J. Alan. ( 2013). Preliminary Results Regarding the Effectiveness of a new Screening and Brief Intervention Protocol for Heavy Drinkers in Dental Settings Poster American Academy of Health Behavior Santa Fe, NM.

Neff, J. Alan., Kelley, M., Braitman, A., Paulson, J., Darby, M. M. and Lemaster, M. F. (November , 2013). Effectiveness of a Brief Screening and Intervention for Heavy Drinkers in Dental Practice Poster American Public Health Association Boston, MA.

Neff, J. Alan., Kelley, M., Paulson, J., Darby, M. M. and Lemaster, M. F. (July , 2013). Effectiveness of a Brief Screening and Intervention for Heavy Drinkers in Dental Practice Poster American Psychological Association Honolulu, Hawaii.

Neff, J. Alan., Braitman, A., Kelley, M., Paulson, J., Darby, M. M. and Lemaster, M. F. (March , 2013). Preliminary Results Regarding the Effectiveness of a new Screening and Brief Intervention Protocol for Heavy Drinkers in Dental Settings Poster American Academy of Health Behavior Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Neff, J. Alan. ( 2012). Proximal and Distal Correlates of Adoption by Dental Practices of Brief Screening and Intervention Protocols for Heavy Drinking. Poster American Public Health Association San Francisco, CA.

Ranne, J. and Neff, J. Alan. ( 2011). Predictors of Developmental Screening Receipt for Communication Delays in Young Children Oral Presentation Academy Health Seattle, WA.

• 2013: 2013 Poster of Distinction, American Academy of Health Behavior
• 2010: Fellow, American Academy of Health Behavior
• 2007: Member, Epidemiology, Prevention, and Behavioral Research Committee, NIH/National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism
• 1980: Post-doctoral Scholar, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health
• 1974: Pre-doctoral Fellow, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health