Brian E. Perron

Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work, and Faculty Associate, Populations Studies Center, Institute for Social Research

Brian E. Perron, PhD, is a Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Perron’s recent work focuses on helping community-based organizations use data to improve service delivery and other business processes. This includes developing user-friendly and sustainable data management systems; creating interactive data visualizations to facilitate interpretation of data, especially for non-technical users; and building organizational capacity to promote data-driven decision making. Perron helped establish and works actively with the Child & Adolescent Data Lab, where he examines services for vulnerable youth and families in the child welfare system, with the ultimate goal of improving service outcomes. His research (NCBI, Google Scholar, ResearchGate) has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, Department of Veterans Affairs and the state of Michigan. Perron is also interested in the role, application and ethical use of artificial intelligence in social work and how tools like machine learning and natural language processing can be leveraged to improve our knowledge.

Perron is passionate about teaching students about research and data analysis, with a special interest in helping students who do not have a strong math background. Perron also has considerable experience teaching both the diagnosis and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. In addition to his research, service and teaching activities, Perron regularly participates as a student in MOOCs to ensure his skills and knowledge are current with the rapid developments of technology.

Contact Information

  • (734) 763-9272

  • 2728 SSWB
    University of Michigan
    School of Social Work
    1080 S. University
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Education

  • 2007 PhD Social Work
    Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • 1998 MSW Social Work
    University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
  • 1995 BA Psychology
    The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN

News

Activities

Publications
Victor, B. G., Goldkind, L., & Perron, B. E. (in press). The limitations of large language models and emerging correctives to support social work scholarship: Selecting the right tool for the task. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics.
Rodriguez, M. Y., Goldkind, L., Victor, B. G., Hiltz, B., & Perron, B. E. (in press). Introducing generative artificial intelligence into the MSW curriculum: A proposal for the 2029 education policy and accreditation standards. Journal of Social Work Education.
Ryan, J. P., Oshman, L., Frank, C., Perron, B., Victor, B., & Sankaran, V. (2025). Prenatal cannabis exposure and the risk of subsequent maltreatment. Child Abuse & Neglect, 160.
Victor, B. G., Kubiak, S., Angell, B., & Perron, B. E. (2023). Time to move beyond the ASWB Licensing Exams: Can generative artificial intelligence offer a way forward for social work? Research on Social Work Practice, 33(5), 511-517.
Victor, B. G., McNally, K., Qi, Z., & Perron, B. E. (2023). Construct-irrelevant variance on the ASWB Clinical Social Work Licensing Exam: A replication of prior validity concerns. Research on Social Work Practice, 34(2), 217-222.
Perron, B. E., Luan, H., Qi, Z., Victor, B. G., & Goyal, K. (2024). Demystifying application programming interfaces (APIs): Unlocking the power of large language models and other web-based AI services in social work research. ArXiv.
Perron, B. E., Rivenburgh, K. A., Victor, B. G., Qi, Z., & Luan, H. (2024). A primer on word embeddings: AI techniques for text analysis in social work. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 16(12), 241-273.
Luan, H., Perron, B. E., Victor, B. G., Wan, G., Niu, Y., & Xiao, X. (2024). Using artificial intelligence to support scientometric analysis of scholarly literature: A case example of research on mainland China's left-behind children. Journal of Society for Social Work and Research.
Perron, B. E., Luan, H., Victor, B. G., Hiltz-Perron, O., & Ryan, J. (2024). Moving beyond ChatGPT: Local large language models (LLMs) and the secure analysis of confidential unstructured text data in social work research. Research on Social Work Practice.
Perron, B. E., Victor, B. G., & Vaughn, M. G. (2014). Psychometrics. Oxford Bibliographies.
Vaughn, M. G., Salas-Wright, C. P., DeLisi, M., & Perron, B. (2014). Correlates of traumatic brain injury among juvenile offenders: A multi-site study. Criminal Behaviors and Mental Health.
Miller, C. J., Grogan-Kaylor, A., Perron, B. E., Kilbourne, A. M., Woltmann, E., & Bauer, M. S. (2013). Collaborative chronic care models for mental health conditions: Cumulative meta-analysis and meta-regression to guide future research and implementation. Medical Care, 51(10), 922-930.
Vaughn, M. G., Maynard, B., Salad-Wright, C., Perron, B. E., & Abdon, A. (2013). Prevalence and correlates of truancy in the US: results from a national sample. Journal of Adolescence, 36(4), 767-776.
Phiri, C., & Perron, B. E. (2012). Health implications of chronic homelessness: lived experiences of adult men and women from a community in Gauteng Province, South Africa. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 18, 160-173.
Guerrero, E. G., Marsh, J. C., Duan, L., Oh, C., Perron, B. E., & Lee, B. (2013). Disparities in completion of substance abuse treatment between and within racial and ethnic groups. Health Services Research.
Powell, T., Garrow, E., Woodford, M., & Perron, B. (2013). Policymaking opportunities for direct practice social workers in mental health and addiction services. Advances in Social Work, 14(2), 367-378.
Glass, J. E., Perron, B. E., & Straussner, S. L. (2012). Introduction to the special issue [addiction-related issues among active-duty military, veterans and their families]. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 12(1).
Ahmedani, B. K., Perron, B. E., Ilgen, M. A., Abdon, A., Vaughn, M. G., & Epperson, M. W. (2013). Suicide thoughts and attempts and psychiatric treatment utilization: Informing prevention strategies. American Journal of Psychiatry, 63(2), 186-189.
Nicklett, E. J. & Perron, B. (2009). Laws and policies to support well being of children: An international comparative analysis. International Journal of Social Welfare, 19(1), 3-7.
Perron, B. E., Ahmendani, B. K., Vaughn, M. G., Glass, J., Abdon, A., & Wu, L. (2012). Use of salvia divinorum in a nationally representative sample. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 38(1), 108-113.
Perron, B. E. (2011). Reducing social loafing in group-based projects. College Teaching, 59(4), 163-164.
Vaughn, M. G., Fu, Q., DeLisi, M., Beaver, K. M., Perron, B. E., & Howard, M. O. (2010). Are personality disorders associated with social welfare burden in the United States? Journal of Personality Disorders, 24(6), 709-720.
Krentzman, A. R., Robinson, E. A. R., Perron, B. E., & Cranford, J. A. (2011). Predictors of membership in Alcoholics Anonymous in a sample of successfully remitted alcoholics. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 43(1), 21-26.
Perron, B. E., Glass, J. E., Ahmendani, B. K., Vaughn, M. G., Roberts, D. E., & Wu, L. T. (2011). The prevalence and clinical significance of inhalant withdrawal symptoms in a national sample. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 2, 69-76.
Link, B. G., Epperson, M. W., Perron, B. E., Castille, D. M., & Yang, L. H. (2011). Arrest outcomes associated with outpatient commitment in New York State. Psychiatric Services, 62(5), 504-508.
Lee, S. J., Kim, J., Taylor, C. A., & Perron, B. E. (2011). Profiles of disciplinary behaviors among biological fathers. Child Maltreatment, 16(1), 51-62.
Vaughn, M. G., Shook, J. J., Perron, B. E., Abdon, A., & Ahmendani, B. (2011). Patterns and correlates illicit drug selling among youth in the United States. Journal of Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 2, 103-111.
Perron, B. E., & Sellers, J. (2011). [Review of technology: Review of the collaborative and sharing aspects of Google Docs]. Research on Social Work Practice, 21, 489.
Perron, B. E., & Stearns, A. G. (2011). [Review of technology: Review of a presentation technology: Prezi]. Research on Social Work Practice, 21(3), 376-377.
Perron, B. E., & Ruffolo, M. (2011). [Review of technology: Review of a web-conferencing technology: GoToMeeting]. Research on Social Work Practice.
Jarman, C. N., & Perron, B. E. (2011). [Review of the book Overcoming bipolar disorder: A comprehensive workbook for managing your symptoms and achieving your life goals]. Research on Social Work Practice, 21(1), 138-140.
Luke, K. P., & Perron, B. E. (2009). [Review of the book Essential skills of social work practice: Assessment, intervention, and evaluation]. Research on Social Work Practice, 19, 657-659.
Vaughn, M. G., & Perron, B. E. (2010). Substance use careers and antisocial behavior: a biosocial life course perspective. In M. DeLisi & K. M. Beaver (Eds.), Criminology Theory: A Life-course Approach. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Brandfon, S., & Perron, B. (2009). Movies: [Portrayal of substances in the movies]. In P. Korsmeyer & F. Kranzler (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior (3rd ed.). MacMillan Reference USA.
Howard, M. O., Perron, B., & Vaughn, M. G. (2009). Practice guidelines and evidence-based practice. In A. Roberts (Ed.), Social Workers' Desk Reference (2nd ed.).
Perron, B. E., & Howard, M. O. (2008). Inhalants: Extent of use and consequences. In P. Korsmeyer & F. Kranzler (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol and Addictive Behavior (3rd ed.). MacMillan Reference USA.
Perron, B. E., & Powell, T. J. (2008). Online groups and social work practice. In A. Gitterman & R. Salmon (Eds.), The Encyclopedia of Social Work with Groups. New York: Routledge.
Gillespie, D. F., & Perron, B. (2007). Structural equation modeling. In S. Boslaugh (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Epidemiology, Vol. II.
Perron, B. E., Ruffolo, M., Grogan-Kaylor, A., & Spencer, M. (2011). From SSWR to peer-reviewed publication: How many live, and how many die? Research on Social Work Practice, 21(5), 594-598.
Perron, B. E., Mowbray, O., Bier, S., Vaughn, M. G., Krentzman, A., & Howard, M. O. (2011). Patterns of service use and barriers among inhalant users. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 43(1), 69-75.
Vaughn, M. G., DeLisi, M., Gunter, T., Fu, Q., Beaver, K. M., Perron, B. E., & Howard, M. O. (2011). The severe 5%: A latent class analysis of the externalizing spectrum in the United States. Journal of Criminal Justice, 39, 75-80.
Perron, B. E., Grahavoc, I. D., Uppal, J. S., Granillo, T. M., Shutter, J., & Porter, C. A. (2011). Supporting students in recovery on college campuses: Opportunties for student affairs professionals. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 48(1), 47-64.
Vaughn, M. G., Wexler, J., Beaver, K. M., Perron, B. E., Roberts, G., & Fu, J. (2011). Psychiatric correlates of behavioral indicators of school disengagement in the United States. Psychiatric Quarterly, 82(3), 191-206.
Ilgen, M. A., Roeder, K. M., Webster, L., Mowbray, O., Perron, B. E., Chermak, S., & Bohnert, A. S. B. (2011). Measuring pain medication expectancies in adults treated for substance use disorders. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 115, 51-56.
Vaughn, M. G., Fu, Q., Beaver, K. M., DeLisi, M., Perron, B. E. & Howard, M. O. (2011). Effects of childhood adversity on bullying and cruelty to animals in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(17), 3509-3525.
Vaughn, M. G., Fu, Q., Wernet, S. J., DeLisi, M., Beaver, K. M., Perron, B. E., & Howard, M. O. (2011). Characteristics of abstainers from substance use and antisocial behavior in the United States. Journal of Criminal Justice, 39, 212-217.
Kilbourne, A., Farmer-Teh, C., Welsh, D., Pincus, H. A., Lasky, E., Perron, B., & Bauer, M. S. (2010). Implementing composite quality metrics for bipolar disorder: Towards a more comprehensive approach to quality measurement. General Hospital Psychiatry, 32(6), 636-643.
Krentzman, A., Robinson, E., Jester, J., & Perron, B. E. (2011). Heat maps: A technique for classifying and analyzing drinking behaviour. Substance Use and Misuse, 46(5), 687-695.
Lee, S. J., Kim, J., Taylor, C. A., & Perron, B. E. (2010). Profiles of disciplinary behaviors among biological fathers. Child Maltreatment, 45(12), 1125-1134.
Ilgen, M. A., Price, A. M., Burnett-Zeigler, I., Perron, B. E., Islam, K., Bohnert, A. S. B., & Zivin, K. (2011). Longitudinal predictors of addictions treatment utilization in treatment-naive adults with alcohol use disorders. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 113, 215-221.
Howard, M. O., Garland, E. L., Vaughn, M. G., & Perron, B. E. (2011). Volatile substance misuse in the United States. Substance Use and Misuse, 46(Suppl. 1), 8-20.
Vaughn, M. G., Define, R. S., DeLisi, M., Perron, B. E., Beaver, K. M., Fu, Q., & Howard, M. O. (2010). Sociodemographic, behavioral, and substance use correlates of reckless driving in the United States: Finding from a national sample. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 45(3), 347-353.
Mowbray, O., Perron, B. E., Bohnert, A. S. B., Krentzman, A., & Vaughn, M. G. (2010). Service use and treatment barriers among heroin users: Results from a national survery. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 36(6), 305-310.
Glass, J. E., Perron, B. E., Ilgen, M. A., Chermack, S. T., Ratliff, S., & Zivin, K. (2010). Prevalence and correlates of specialty substance use disorder treatment for Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System patients with high alcohol consumption. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 122(1-2), 150-151.
Perron, B. E., Bohnert, A., Monsell, S., Vaughn, M. G., Epperson, M., & Howard, M. O. (2011). Patterns and correlates of drug-related emergency department visits: Results from a national survey. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 29(7), 704-710.
Vaughn, M. G., Fu, Q., Bender, K., DeLisi, M., Beaver, K. M., Perron, B. E., & Howard, M. O. (2010). Bullying in the United States: Findings from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions. Psychiatric Quarterly, 81(3), 183-195.
Nebbitt, V. E., Tyuse, S. W., Vaughn, M. G. & Perron, B. E. (2010). Conceptual tools for research on race and social problems: An overview of Dynamic Theory and Model Development. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 20, 909-923.
Chermack, S. T., Grogan-Kaylor, A., Perron, B. E., Murray, R. M., Walton, M. A., & Blow, F. (2010). Violence among men and women in substance use disorder treatment: a multi-level event-based analysis. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 112, 194-200.
Glass, J. E., Ilgen, M. A., Perron, B. E., Winters, J. J., Murray, R. L., & Chermack, S. T. (2010). Inpatient hospitalization in addiction treatment for patients with a history of suicide attempt: a case of support for treatment performance measures. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 42(3), 315-325.
Howard, M. O., Bowen, S. E., Perron, B. E., & Vaughn, M. G. (2011). Inhalant use and inhalant use disorders in the United States. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 6(1), 18-31.
Bender, K., Perron, B. E., Howard, M. O., & Jenson, J. (2010). Strong-arm bullying prior to incarceration among a sample of young offenders. Journal of the Society of Social Work and Research, 1(1), 1-13.
Howard, M. O., Hall, M. T., Edwards, J. D., Vaughn, M. G., Perron, B. E., & Winecker, R. E. (2011). Suicide by asphyxiation due to helium inhalation. American Journal of Forensic Science, 32(1), 61-70.
Perron, B. E., Vaughn, M. G., Howard, M. O., Bohnert, A., & Guerrero, E. (2010). Item response theory analysis of DSM-IV criteria for inhalant use disorders in adolescents. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 71(4), 607-614.
Perron, B. E., Bohnert, A. S., Vaughn, M. G., Bauer, M. S., & Kilbourne, A. M. (2010). Profiles of disability among adults with bipolar spectrum disorders. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 45(12), 1122-1134.
Bohnert, A. S. B., Perron, B. E., Jarman, C. N., Vaughn, M. G., Chatters, L. M., & Taylor, R. J. (2010). Use of clergy services among individuals seeking treatment for alcohol use problems. American Journal of Addictions, 19(4), 345-351.
Ilgen, M. A., Perron, B. E., Czyz, M. A., McCammon, R. J., & Trafton, J. (2010). The timing of onset of pain and substance use disorders. American Journal of Addictions, 19(5), 409-415.
Vaughn, M. G., Fu, Q., DeLisi, M., Beaver, K. M., Perron, B. E., & Howard, M. O. (2010). Psychiatric correlates of bullying in the United States: Findings from a national sample. Journal of Personality Disorders, 24(6), 709-720.
Lee, S. J., Perron, B. E., Taylor, C. A., & Guterman, N. B. (2011). Paternal psychosocial characteristics and corporal punishment of their 3-year-old children. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(1), 71-87.
Howard, M. O., Perron, B. E., Sacco, P., Ilgen, M., & Vaughn, M. G. (2010). Suicide ideation and attempts among inhalant users: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Journal of Suicide and Life-Threatening Behaviors, 40(3), 276-286.
Perron, B., Bunger, A., Bender, K., Vaughn, M. G., & Howard, M. O. (2010). Treatment Guidelines for Substance Use Disorders and Serious Mental Illnesses: Do They Address Co-Occurring Disorders? Substance Use and Misuse, 45(7-8), 1262-1278.
Vaughn, M. G., Fu, Q., Perron, B. E., Bohnert, A. S. B., & Howard, M. O. (2010). Is crack cocaine associated with greater violence than powdered cocaine use? Results from a national sample. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 36, 1-6.
Epperson, M. W., Khan, M. R., Miller, D. P., Perron, B., El-Bassel, N., & Gilbert, L. (2010). Assessing criminal justice involvement as an indicator of HIV risk among women in methadone treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 38(4), 375-83.
Perron, B. E., Grahovac, I. D., & Parrish, D. (2010). Students for Recovery: A novel approach to supporting students on campus. Psychiatric Services, 61(6), 633.
Perron, B. E., Taylor, H. O., Glass, J., & Margerum-Leys, J. (2010). Information and communication technologies in social work. Advances in Social Work, 11(1), 67-81.
Vaughn, M. G., Fu, Q., DeLisi, M., Beaver, K., Perron, B. E., & Howard, M. O. (2010). Criminal victimization and Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders in the United States: Results from the NESARC. Annals of Epidemiology, 20(4), 281-288.
Brower, K. J., & Perron, B. E. (2010). Sleep disturbance as a universal risk factor for relapse in addictions to psychoactive substances. Medical Hypotheses, 74(5), 928-33.
Brower, K. J., & Perron, B. E. (2010). Prevalence and correlates of withdrawal-related insomnia among adults with alcohol dependence: Results from a national survey. American Journal of Addictions, 19(3), 238-244.
Jarman, C. N., Perron, B. E., Kilbourne, A. M., & Teh, C. F. (2010). Perceived treatment effectiveness, medication compliance, and complementary and alternative medicine use among veterans with bipolar disorder. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(3), 251-255.
Perron, B. E., Gillespie, D. F., Alexander-Eitzman, B., & Delva, J. (2010). Availability of outpatient substance use disorder treatment programs in the United States. Substance Use and Misuse, 45(7-8), 1097-1111.
Vaughn, M. G., Fu, Q., DeLisi, M., Wright, J. P., Beaver, K. M., Perron, B. E., & Howard, M. O. (2010). Prevalence and correlates of fire-setting in the United States: Results from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 51(3), 217-223.
Howard, M. O., Perron, B. E., Vaughn, M., Bender, K., & Garland, E. (2010). Inhalant use, inhalant-use disorders, and antisocial behavior: Findings from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 71(2), 201-209.
Powell, T. J., & Perron, B. E. (2010). Self-help groups and mental health/substance use agencies: The benefits of organizational exchange. Substance Use and Misuse, 45(3), 315-329.
Perron, B. E., Fries, L. E., Kilbourne, A. M., Vaughn, M. G., & Bauer, M. S. (2010). Racial/ethnic group differences in bipolar symptomatology in a community sample of persons with bipolar I disorder. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 198(1), 16-21.
Perron, B., Alexander-Eitzman, B., Watkins, D., Taylor, R., Neighbors, H. W., & Jackson, J. S. (2009). Ethnic differences in delays to treatment for substance use disorders: African Americans, Black Caribbeans and Non-Hispanic Whites. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 41(4), 369-377.
Perron, B. E., Howard, M. O., Vaughn, M. G., & Jarman, C. N. (2009). Inhalant withdrawal as a clinically significant feature of inhalant dependence disorder. Medical Hypotheses, 73(6), 935-937.
Perron, B. E., Mowbray, O. P., Glass, J. E., Delva, J., Vaughn, M. G., & Howard, M. O. (2009). Differences in service utilization and barriers among Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites with drug use disorders. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 13(4).
Woodward, A. T., Bullard, K. M., Taylor, R. J., Chatters, L. M., Baser, R. E., & Perron, B. E. (2009). Use of complementary and alternative medicines for mental and substance use disorders: A comparison of African Americans Black Caribbeans, and non-Hispanic Whites. Psychiatric Services, 60(190), 1342-1349.
Kilbourne, A. M., Perron, B. E., Mezuk, B., Welsh, D., Ilgen, M., & Bauer, M. S. (2009). Co-occurring conditions and health-related quality of life in patients with bipolar disorder. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71(8), 894-900.
Vaughn, M. G., Fu, Q., Delisi, M., Beaver, K. M., Perron, B. E., Terrell, K., & Howard, M. O. (2009). Correlates of cruelty to animals in the United States: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 43(15), 1213-1218.
Garland, E. L., Howard, M. O., & Perron, B. E. (2009). Nitrous oxide inhalant among adolescents: Prevalence, correlates, and co-occurrence with volatile solvent inhalation. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 41(4), 337-347.
Vaughn, M. G., Beaver, K., DeLisi, M., Howard, M. O., & Perron, B. E. (2009). Dopamine D4 receptor gene associated with binge drinking phenotype. Alcohol, 43(3), 179-184.
Perron, B., & Howard, M. O. (2009). Adolescent inhalant use, abuse, and dependence. Addiction, 104(7), 1185-1192.
Perron, B. E., Jarman, C., & Kilbourne, A. M. (2009). Access to conventional mental health and medical care among users of complementary and alternative medicine with bipolar disorder. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 197(4), 287-290.
Perron, B. E., Howard, M. O., Nienhuis, J. K., Bauer, M., Woodward, A., & Kilbourne,
A. M. (2009). Prevalence and burden of general medical conditions among adults with bipolar-I disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 70(10), 1407-1415.
Howard, M. O., & Perron, B. E. (2009). A survey of inhalant use disorder among delinquent youth: Prevalence, clinical features, and latent structure of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. BCM Psychiatry, 9(8).
Perron, B. E., Howard, M. O., Maitra, S., & Vaughn, M. G. (2009). Prevalence, timing, and predictors of transitions from inhalant use to inhalant use disorders. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 100(3), 277-284.
Delva. J., Dietz, N. A., Perron, B., Sanchez, N., & Woolley, M. E. (2009). Adult awareness of a youth-focused anti-tobacco campaign: Does having children matter? Substance Use and Misuse, 44(6), 763-774.
Vaughn, M. G., Beaver, K., Delisi, M., & Perron, B. E. (2009). Gene-environment interplay and the importance of self-control in predicting substance-related problems. Addictive Behaviors, 34(1), 112-116.
Perron, B., Zeber, J, Bauer, M., & Kilbourne, A. (2009). A brief measure of perceived clinician support by patients with bipolar spectrum disorders. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 197(8), 574-579.
Hasche, L., Perron, B. E., & Proctor, E. K. (2009). Making time for dissertation grants: Strategies for social work students and educators. Research on Social Work Practice, 19, 340-350.
Vaughn, M. G., Wallace, J., Perron, B., Copeland, V., & Howard, M. O. (2008). Does marijuana use serve as a gateway to nicotine dependence for African-American youth? American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 34(6), 782-791.
Kymes, S. M., McIntosh, L. D., Perron, B. E., Nease, R. F., & Sumner, W. (2008). Apples and oranges? Assessing the relationship between health and vision related quality of life. Values in Health, 11(3), A297.
Perron, B., Alexander-Eitzman, B., Gillespie, D. F., & Pollio, D. (2008). Modeling the mental health effects of victimization among homeless persons. Social Science and Medicine, 67(9), 1475-1479.
Guo, B., Perron, B., & Gillespie, D. F. (2008). A systematic review of structural equation modeling in social work research. British Journal of Social Work, 39(8), 1-19.
Perron, B., & Howard, M. O. (2008). Prevalence and correlates of traumatic brain injury among delinquent youths. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 18(4), 243-255.
Perron, B., & Howard, M. O. (2008). Perceived risk of harm and intentions of future inhalant use among adolescent inhalant users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 97(1-2), 185-189.
Perron, B., Gotham, H., & Cho, D. (2008). Victimization among African-American adolescents in substance abuse treatment. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 40(1), 67-75.
Perron, B., & Howard, M. O. (2008). Endemic asthma inhaler misuse and abuse among antisocial adolescents. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 96(1-2), 22-29.
Perron, B., Ilgen, M., Hasche, L., & Howard, M. O. (2008). Service needs among persons in substance abuse treatment: A latent class analysis. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 69(3), 449-453.
Perron, B., Vaughn, M. G., & Howard, M. (2008). Reasons for using inhalants: evidence for discrete classes in a sample of incarcerated youth. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 34(4), 450-455.
Perron, B., & Bright, C. (2008). The influence of legal coercion on dropout from substance abuse treatment: Results from a national survey. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 92(1-3), 123-131.
Perron, B. E. (2007). A comparison in the quality of care among legally coerced and voluntary clients in outpatient substance abuse treatment programs. BMC Psychiatry, 7(Suppl. 1).
Proctor, E. K., Knudsen, K. J., Fedoravicius, N., Hovmand, P. S., Rosen, A., & Perron, B. (2007). Implementation of evidence-based practice in community behavioral health: agency director perspectives. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 34, 479-488.
Vaughn, M. G., Perron, B., & Howard, M. O. (2007). Variations in social contexts and their effect on adolescent inhalant use: A latent profile investigation. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 91(2-3), 129-133.
Perron, B. (2006). A critical examination of the environmental mastery scale. Social Indicators Research, 79(1), 171-188.
Perron, B., & Hiltz, B. (2006). Burnout and secondary trauma among forensic interviewers of children. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 23(2), 216-234.
Perron, B., & Munson, M. R. (2006). Coping with voices: A group approach for managing auditory hallucinations. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 9(3), 241-258.
North, C. S., Pollio, D. E., Perron, B., Eyrich, K. M., & Spitznagel, E. L. (2005). The role of organizational characteristics in determining patterns of utilization of services for substance abuse, mental health, and shelter by homeless people. The Journal of Drug Issues, 35, 575-591.
Perron, B. (2002). Online support for caregivers of persons with serious mental illnesses. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 26(1), 70-77.
Bohnert, K., Perron, B. E., Ashrafloun, L., Kleinberg, F., Jannausch, M., & Ilgen, M. (2014). Positive posttraumatic stress disorder screens among first-time medical cannabis patients: Prevalence and association with other substance use. Addictive Behaviors, 39(10), 1414-1417.
Perron, B. E., Córdova, D., Salas-Wright, C., & Vaughn, M. G. (2017). Validity: Conceptual and methodological issues in substance abuse research. In J. Van Geest, T. Johnson, & S. Alemagno (Eds.), Handbook of Substance Abuse Research Methods (pp. 235-249). New York, NY: Springer.
Bushman, G., Victor, B. G., Ryan, J. P. & Perron, B. E. (2018). In utero exposure to opioids: An observational study of mothers involved in the child welfare system. Substance Use and Misuse, 53(5), 844-851.
Victor, B. G., Resko, S. M., Ryan, J. P., & Perron, B. E. (2018). Identification of domestic violence service needs among child welfare-involved parents with substance use disorders: A gender-stratified analysis. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
Ryan, J. P., Jacob, B. A., Gross, M., Perron, B. E., & Feguson, S. (2018). Early exposure to child maltreatment and academic outcomes. Child Maltreatment, 23(4), 365-375.
Perron, B. E., Holt, K. R., Yeagley, E., & Ilgen, M. (2019). Mental health functioning and severity of cannabis withdrawal among medical cannabis users with chronic pain. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 194, 401-409.
Chermack, S. T., Bonar, E. E., Golstick, J. E., Winters, J., Blow, F. C., Friday, S., Ilgen, M. A., Rauch, S. M., Perron, B. E., Ngo, Q. M., & Walton, M. A. (2019). A randomized controlled trial for aggression and substance use involvement among Veterans: Impact of combining Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Treatment and telephone-based Continuing Care. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 98, 77-88.
Victor, B. G., Henry, C., Gilbert, T. T., Ryan, J. P., & Perron, B. E. (2019). Child protective service referrals involving exposure to domestic violence: Prevalence, associated maltreatment types, and likelihood of formal case openings. Child Maltreatment, 24(3), 299-309.
Wang, M. Victor, B. G., Wu, S., & Perron, B. E. (2019). Associations between family structure and social emotional development among school-aged children in mainland China. Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 29(4), 249-263.
Perron, B. E., Victor, B. G., Bushman, G., Moore, A., Ryan, J. P., Lu, A. J., & Piellusch, E. K. (2019). Detecting substance-related problems in narrative investigation summaries of child abuse and neglect using text mining and machine learning. Child Abuse and Neglect, 98, 1-13.
Ruffolo, M. C., Perron, B. E., & Voshel, E. H. (2016). Direct Social Work Practice: Theories and Skills for Becoming an Evidence-Based Practitioner. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
Victor, B., Grogan-Kaylor, A., Ryan, J., Perron, B., & Gilbert, T. (2018). Domestic violence, parental substance misuse and the decision to substantiate child maltreatment. Child Abuse and Neglect, 79, 31-41.
Davis, A. K., Bonar, E. E., Ilgen, M. A., Walton, M. A., Perron, B. E., & Chermack, S. T. (2016). Factors associated with having a medical marijuana card among veterans with recent substance use in VA outpatient treatment. Addictive Behaviors, 63, 132-136.
Cranford, J. A., Bohnert, K. M., Perron, B. E., Bourque, C., & Ilgen, M. (2016). Prevalence and correlates of “Vaping” as a route of cannabis administration in medical cannabis patients. Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
Ryan, J. P., Perron, B. E., Moore, A., Victor, B. G., & Park, K. (2017). Timing matters: A randomized control trial of recovery coaches in foster care. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.
Chatters, L. M., Taylor, R. J., Woodward, A. M., Bohnert, A., Peterson, T. L., & Perron, B. E. (2017). Differences between African Americans and non-Hispanic whites utilization of clergy for counseling with serious personal problems. Race and Social Problems.
Mowbray, O., Ryan, J. P., Victor, B. G., Bushman, G., Yochum, C. & Perron, B. E. (2017). Longitudinal trends in substance use and mental health service needs in child welfare. Children and Youth Services Review, 73, 1-8.
Ryan, J. P., Victor, B. G., Moore, A., Mowbray, O. & Perron, B. E. (2016). Recovery coaches and the stability of reunification for substance abusing families in child welfare. Children and Youth Services Review, 70, 357-363.
Mowbray, O., Victor, B. G., Ryan, J. P., Moore, A. & Perron, B. E. (2017). Parental substance use and foster care re-entry. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 17(4), 352-373.
Salas-Wright, C. P., Vaughn, M. G., Perron, B. E., Gonzalez, J. M., & Goings, T. (2016). Changing perspectives on marijuana use during early adolescence and young adulthood: Evidence from a panel of cross-sectional surveys. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 169, 5-10.
Victor, B. G., Ryan, J. P., Moore, A., Mowbray, O., Evangelist, M. & Perron, B. E. (2016). Foster care licensing and the risk of reentry to out of home care following family reunification. Children and Youth Services Review, 70, 112-119.
Hodge, D. R., Victor, B. G., Grogan-Kaylor, A. C., & Perron, B. E. (2017). Disseminating high impact social work scholarship: A longitudinal examination of correlates of 5-year citation counts. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 8(2), 211-231.
Davis, A. K., Bonar, E. E., Ilgen, M. A., Walton, M. A., Perron, B. E., & Chermack, S. T. (2016). Factors associated with having a medical marijuana card among veterans with recent substance use in VA outpatient treatment. Addictive Behaviors, 63, 132-136.
Ryan, J. P., Perron, B. E., Moore, A., Victor, B., & Evangelist, M. (2016). Foster home placements and the probability of family reunification: Does licensing matter? Child Abuse and Neglect, 59, 88-89.
Glass, J. E., Hamilton, A. M., Powell, B. J., Perron, B. E., Brown, R. T., & Ilgen, M. A. (2016). Revisiting our review of screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT): meta-analytic results still point to no efficacy in increasing the use of substance use disorder services. Addiction, 111(1), 181-183.
Victor, B. G., Hodge, D. R., Perron, B. E., Vaughn, M. G., & Salas-Wright, C. P. (2016). The rise of co-authorship in social work scholarship: A longitudinal study of collaboration and article quality, 1989-2013. British Journal of Social Work, 47(8), 2201-2216.
Perron, B. E., Victor, B. G., Hodge, D. R., Salas-Wright, C. P., Vaughn, M. G. & Taylor, R. J. (2016). Laying the foundations for scientometric research: A data science approach. Research on Social Work Practice. Sage Journals.
Ruffolo, M., Perron, B. E., & Voshel, E. (2015). Direct Social Work Practice: Core Theories and Skills for Becoming an Evidence-Based Practitioner. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Ryan, J. P., Perron, B. E., & Huang, H. (2016). Child welfare and the transition to adulthood: Investigating placement status and subsequent arrests. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45(1), 172-182.
Glass, J. E., Hamilton, A. M., Powell, B. J., Perron, B. E., Brown, R. T., & Ilgen, M. A. (2015). Specialty substance us disorders services following brief alcohol intervention: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Addiction, 110(9), 1404-1415.
Vaughn, M. G., Salas-Wright, C. P., DeLisi, M., Perron, B. E. & Córdova, D. (2015). Crime and violence among MDMA users in the United States. AIMS Public Health, 2(1), 64-73.
Salas-Wright, C. P., Vaughn, M. G., Todic, J., Córdova, D. & Perron, B. E. (2015). Trends in the disapproval and use of marijuana among adolescents and young adults in the United States: 2002-2013. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 41(5), 392-404.
Perron, B. E., Bonhert, K., Perone, A. K., Bonn-Miller, M. O., & Ilgen, M. (2015). Use of prescription pain medications among medical cannabis patients: Comparisons of pain levels, functioning, and patterns of alcohol and other drug use. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 76(3), 406-413.
Sokol, R., Perron, B., Rosenblum, K., Muzik, M., Zimmerman, M., & Miller, A. (2020). Developmental differences in the association of peer relationships with traumatic stress symptoms. Preventive Medicine, 21, 841-849.
Luan, H., Wang, M., Sokol, R., Wu, S., Victor, B., & Perron, B. (2020). A scoping review of WeChat to facilitate professional healthcare education in mainland China. Medical Education Online, 25(1).
Sokol, R., Li, J., Victor, B., Miller, A., Ryan, J., & Perron, B. (2020). Changes in Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) scores over time: A systematic review. Child Youth Services Review, 112, 104917.
Wang, M., Sokol, R., Perron, B., Victor, B., & Wu, S. (2020). Mental health service interventions for left-behind children in mainland China: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Child Youth Services Review, 117, 105304.
Sokol, R., Victor, B., Piellusch, E., Nielsen, S., Ryan, J., & Perron, B. (2020). Prevalence and context of firearms-related problems in child protective service investigations. Child Abuse and Neglect, 107, 104572.
Perron, B., Haroney, J., Hayes, D., Sokol, R., & Kolton, S. (2020). Potentially serious unintended consequences for the use of 1,1-difluoroethane as a deterrent for the intentional inhalation of computer duster sprays. Forensic Toxicology, 39, 286-290.
Sokol, R., Victor, B., Mariscal, S., Ryan, J., & Perron, B. (2021). Using administrative data to uncover how often and why supervisory neglect happens: Implications for child maltreatment prevention. Child Abuse and Neglect, 122,
Wang, M., Victor, B. G., Hong, J. S., Wu, S., Huang, J., Luan, H., & Perron, B. E. (2020). A scoping review of interventions to promote health and well-being of left-behind children in mainland China. The British Journal of Social Work, 50(5), 1419-1439.
Krings, A., Victor, B. G., Mathias, J., & Perron, B. E. (2020). Environmental social work in the disciplinary literature, 1991-2015. International Social Work, 63, 275-290.
Sokol, R. L., Li, J., Victor, B. G., Miller, A., Ryan, J. P., & Perron, B. E. (2020). Changes in Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) scores over time: A systematic review. Children and Youth Services Review, 112, 1-6.
Henry, C., Victor, B. G., Ryan, J. P., & Perron, B. E. (2020). Substantiated allegations of failure to protect in the child welfare system: Against whom, in what context, and with what justification? Children and Youth Services Review, 116, 1-9.
Sokol, R. L., Zimmerman, M. A., Perron, B. E., Rosenblum, K. L., Muzik, M., & Miller, A. L. (2020). Developmental differences in the association of peer relationships with traumatic stress symptoms. Prevention Science, 21(6), 841-849.
Yin, H. B., Han, J. Y., & Perron, B. E. (2020). Why are Chinese university teachers (not) confident in their competence to teach? The relationship between faculty-perceived stress and self-efficacy. International Journal of Educational Research, 100.
Han, J. Y., Perron, B. E., Yin, H., & Liu, Y. (2020). Faculty stressors and their relations to teacher efficacy, engagement and teaching satisfaction. Higher Education Research and Development.
Perron, B. E., Victor, B. G., Hiltz, B, & Ryan, J. (2020). Teaching note - Data science in the MSW curriculum: Case examples demonstrating opportunities for innovating training in statistics and research methods. Journal of Social Work Education.
Wang, M., Sokol, R., Luan, H., Perron, B. E., Victor, B. G., & Wu, S. (2020). Mental health service interventions for left-behind children in mainland China: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Children and Youth Services Review, 117.
Luan, H., Wang, M., Sokol, R. L., Wu, S., Victor, B. G, & Perron, B. E. (2020). A scoping review of WeChat to facilitate professional healthcare education in Mainland China. Medical Education Online, 25(1).
Sokol, R. L., Victor, B. G., Piellusch, E. K., Nielsen, S. B., Ryan, J. P., & Perron, B. E. (2020). Prevalence and context of firearms-related problems in child protective service investigations. Child Abuse and Neglect, 107, 1-6.
Perron, B. E., Haroney, J. M., Hayes, D. E., Sokol, R. L., & Kolton, S. A. (2020). Potentially serious consequences for the use of Bitrex as a deterrent for the intentional inhalation of computer duster sprays. [Letter to the Editor]. Forensic Toxicology, 39, 286-290.
Victor, B. G., Perron, B. E., Sokol, R., Gârbacea, C., Fedina, L., & Ryan, J. P. (2020). Automated identification of domestic violence in written child welfare records: Leveraging text mining and machine learning to enhance social work research and evaluation. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. 12(4).
Perron, B. E., Hiltz, B. S., Khang, E. M., & Savas, S. A. (2025). AI-enhanced social work: Developing and evaluating specialized tools with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). Journal of Social Work Education.
Sokol, R. L., Victor, B. G., Yoon, M., Ryan, J., & Perron, B. (2023). Complex, co-occurring needs patterns and evidence-based service planning for families involved in foster care: A map for research and practice. Child Maltreatment, 28(2), 359-371.
Victor, B., Sokol, R., Goldkind, L., & Perron, B. (2023). Recommendations for social work researchers and journal editors on the use of generative AI and large language models. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 14(3), 563-577.
Park, K., Victor, B. G., Perron, B. E., Ryan, J. P., & Braun, B. (2024). Persistent racial disproportionality in investigated and substantiated child maltreatment reports: Trend analysis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019–2020). Journal of Public Child Welfare, 18(1), 1-20.
Victor, B., Perron, B., Sokol, R., Fedina, L., & Ryan, J. (2021). Automated identification of domestic violence in written child welfare records: Leveraging text mining and machine learning to enhance social work research and evaluation. Journal of Society of Social Work Research, 12(4), 631-655.
Perron, B., Victor, B., Ryan, J., Piellusch, E., & Sokol, R. (2022). A text-based approach to measuring opioid-related risk among families involved in the child welfare system. Child Abuse and Neglect.
Sokol, R., Victor, B., Yoon, M., Ryan, J., & Perron, B. (2022). Complex, co-occurring needs patterns and evidence-based service planning for families involved in foster care: A map for research and practice. Child Maltreatment.

Experience
Year Description
2017-present Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI
2015-2023 Faculty Associate, Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2011-2017 Associate Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI
2007-2011 Assistant Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI
2006-2007 Statistical Consultant, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
2005-2007 Research Assistant, Systems Response to Mental Disorders: The Case of Community Long-term Care, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
2004-2006 Measures Collection Coordinator, Center for Mental Health Services Research, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
2004-2006 Research Assistant, Diffusion of Innovative Practices, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
2003-2006 Teaching assistant, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
2002-2003 Program Supervisor, Oak Grove Residential Treatment Center, Minneapolis, MN
2000-2002 Clinical Social Worker, Andrew Residence, Minneapolis, MN
1999-2000 Lecturer, Shandong Institute of Technology, Jinan, China
1999 Instructor, Upward Bound, Study Skills, The College of St. Scholastic, Duluth, MN
1998-1999 Counselor, Student Support Services, The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
1997-1998 Social Work Intern, William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital, Madison, WI
1996-1997 Social Work Intern, Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Health Promotion, Madison, WI
1994-1997 Behavioral Support Staff, Opal In-home Services, St. Paul, MN
1993-1995 Psychology Intern, Independence Station, Duluth, MN
1993-1994 Psychology Intern, Harmony Club, Duluth, MN

Honors and Awards
Year Description
2018 Casey Family Programs
2015 Fellow of the Society for Social Work Research
2010 University of Michigan 2010 Advisor of the Year Award for advisement of the Students for Recovery group

Presentations
Year Description
2004 Perron, B., & Munson, M. R. (2004). Coping with voices: A group approach for managing auditory hallucinations. Presented at the International Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, San Diego, CA.
2005 Hovmand, P., Perron, B., & Proctor, E. (2005). Getting evidence based practice to work within organizations: A system dynamics based meta-analysis. Presented at the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Meeting, Miami, FL.
2006 Davidson, D., Perron, B., Morrow-Howell, N., & Proctor, E. K. (2006). Public community long-term care systems' response to mental disorders. Presented at the 59th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Dallas, TX.
2007 Perron, B., Pollio, D., & Gillespie, D. F. (2007, June). Modeling victimization among homeless persons with serious mental illnesses. Presented at the AcademyHealth Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL.
2007 Perron, B., Ilgen, M., & Hasche, L. (2007, October). Classifying service needs among persons in outpatient substance use disorder treatment. Presented at the Addiction Health Service Annual Meeting, Athens, GA.

Courses
Title Instructor Term Course Section Meeting Start Meeting End
Data Visualization Applications Perron, Brian E. 801 10:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Program Evaluation and Applied Research Perron, Brian E. 001 06:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course