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Kim Fromme, Ph.D.
Professor

Email: fromme@psy.utexas.edu Phone: 471-0039 Lab: 471-8993 Office: SEA 3.242 Lab: SEA 2.302 (B-K) Director, Studies on Alcohol, Health, and Risky Activities (SAHARA) Laboratory See also Clinical Psychology

Dr. Kim Fromme received her Ph.D. from The University of Washington. Her program of research focuses on the etiology and prevention of alcohol abuse and associated negative consequences among adolescents and young adults.  Earlier research by Dr. Fromme documented the fact that outcome expectancies – beliefs about the outcomes of one’s actions -- are important determinants of people’s drinking and risk-taking behavior.  These research findings provided the foundation for Dr. Fromme to develop innovative brief interventions for the prevention of alcohol abuse and other risk behaviors. With support from a 5-year $3.2 grant, Dr. Fromme is currently conducting a longitudinal study of the transition from high school throughout college for the cohort of freshmen who entered UT in 2004. This research examines individual, environmental, and social factors that influence the developmental trajectories of alcohol use and other behavioral risks (e.g., sex, aggression, drug use) among students as they progress through college.

Courses

UNDERGRADUATE:

Psy 352 Abnormal Psychology

GRADUATE:

Psy 389K, Psy 389L Theory and Technique of (Personality) Assessment (team-taught with Rebecca Neal)

Director, Sahara Lab

Experimental studies are conducted in the SAHARA (Studies on Alcohol, Health, and Risky Activities) Lab, one of six simulated barroom facilities in the country. These studies examine the potential mechanisms whereby alcohol intoxication contributes to risk-taking behavior through an effect on cognitive processes. The survey research examines the development of risk-taking behavior among adolescents and young adults, focusing on the reciprocal association between outcome expectancies and risk behavior. Empirically-based harm-reduction programs are directed towards the early detection and prevention of risk-taking behaviors among adolescents and young adults.

Publications

Hatzenbuehler, M.L., Corbin, W.R., & Fromme, K. (in press). Trajectories and determinants of alcohol use among LGB young adults and their heterosexual peers: Results from a prospective study. Developmental Psychology.

Corbin, W.R., Vaughan, E.L., & Fromme, K. (in press). Ethnic differences and the closing of the gender gap in alcohol use among college bound students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.

Neal, D.J. & Fromme, K. (2007). Hook ‘em horns and heavy drinking: Alcohol use and collegiate sports. Addictive Behaviors, 32, 2681-2693. Wetherill, R. & Fromme, K. (2007). Alcohol use, sexual activity, and perceived risk in high school athletes and non-athletes.  Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, 294-301.

Neal, D.J. & Fromme, K. (2007). Event level covariation of alcohol intoxication and behavioral risks during the first year of college. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75, 294-306.

Wetherill, R. & Fromme, K. (2007). The effects of perceived awareness and caring, family motives and social motives on alcohol use by high school and first semester college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 21, 147-154.

Neal, D.J., Corbin, W.R., & Fromme, K. (2006). Measurement of alcohol-related consequences among high school and college students: Application of item-response models to the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index. Psychological Assessment, 18, 401-414.

Fromme, K. & Corbin, W.R. (2004). Prevention of heavy drinking and associated negative consequences among mandated and voluntary college students.  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 1038-1049.

Fromme, K., De Wit, H., Hutchison, K.E., Ray, L., Corbin, W.R., Cook, T.A.R., Wall, T.L. & Goldman, D. (2004).  Biological and behavioral markers of alcohol sensitivity.  Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 28, 247-256.

Hartzler, B. & Fromme, K. (2003).  Fragmentary and en bloc blackouts: Similarity and distinction among episodes of alcohol-induced memory loss.  Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 64, 551-554.

Corbin, W.R. & Fromme, K. (2002). Alcohol use and serial monogamy as risky for sexually transmitted diseases in young adults. Health Psychology, 21, 229-236.