Anica Pless Kaiser, PhD

Research Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Anica Pless Kaiser, PhD, Psychiatry, focuses on understanding the effects of stress and trauma over the lifespan, PTSD symptom course over time, assessment of PTSD and related disorders, development of interventions for older Veterans, social function in PTSD, the relationship between PTSD and aging, and suicide prevention for older Veterans. She currently serves as program co-director of the Stress, Health and Aging Research Program and as a clinical research psychologist in the Behavioral Science Division of the National Center for PTSD and in the New England Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, both based at VA Boston Healthcare System.

Publications

  • Published 6/3/2026

    Bottari SA, Pless Kaiser A, Lee LO, Aslan M, Vasterling JJ. Pre-deployment sleep duration predicts longitudinal posttraumatic stress disorder symptom trajectories in US Army soldiers deployed to the Iraq war zone. J Anxiety Disord. 2026 Jun 03; 122:103198. PMID: 42284953.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/23/2026

    Ream M, Moye J, Polacek L, O'Malley K, Baird L, Bashian H, Daks J, Etchin A, Pless Kaiser A. Understanding the social needs, resources, and group participation barriers of older rural veterans: A clinician survey. Psychol Serv. 2026 Mar 23. PMID: 41870378.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/26/2025

    Pless Kaiser A, Ream M, Spiro A, Sloan DM, Cook JM, Vogt D, Moye JA. Feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes: A pilot trial of the enhancing social function in older veterans with PTSD (ESVP) group intervention. Psychol Serv. 2026 May; 23(2):293-306. PMID: 40569724.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/12/2025

    Serier KN, Burns HM, Magruder KM, Spiro A, Pless Kaiser A, Kimerling R, Frayne SM, Kilbourne AM, Stock EM, Forsberg CW, Smith NL, Smith BN. Functioning and disability consequences of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and diabetes in Vietnam era men and women veterans. Health Psychol. 2025 Dec; 44(12):1160-1170. PMID: 40504650.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/28/2025

    Pless Kaiser A, Magruder KM, Weathers FW, Keane TM. Commemorating the Vietnam War experience 50 years on: The impact and legacy of traumatic stress research with Vietnam veterans. J Trauma Stress. 2025 Oct; 38(5):867-879. PMID: 40437763.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 41 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Psychologist, National Center for PTSD
    VA Boston Healthcare System

Websites

Education

  • Central Michigan University, PhD
  • Central Michigan University, MA
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst, BA

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