Brian Distelberg, PhD, MA

Associate Professor, Counseling and Family Sciences
Director of Research, Behavioral Medicine Center

Contact Information

Email bdistelberg@llu.edu
Phone 909-558-4547, ext. 47019
Fax 909-558-0417

Department of Counseling and Family Sciences
Loma Linda University, Griggs Hall, Office 113
11065 Campus St., Loma Linda, CA 92350

Degrees and Certifications

  • PhD - Michigan State University, 2009
  • MA, Marriage and Family Therapy - Western Michigan University, 2005

Areas of Specialization

  • Research methodologies
  • Statistics
  • Community and organizational systems
  • Multivariate analysis
  • Community based research
  • Social and behavioral health

Professional Memberships and Licenses

  • National Council of Family Relations (NCFR)
  • Family Firm Institute
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

Recent Publications

  • Emerson, N.D., Morrell, H.E., Neece, C., Tapanes, D., & Distelberg, B. (2018). Longitudinal Model Predicting Self-Concept in Pediatric Chronic Illness. Family Process, DOI: 10.111/famp.12361
  • Emerson, N.D., Morrell, H.E.R., Mahtani, N., Sanderson, L., Neece, C., Boyd, K.C. & Distelberg, B. (2018). Preliminary validation of a self-efficacy scale for pediatric chronic illness. Child: Care, Health and Development, 44.485-4913. DOI: 10.1111/cch.12551.
  • Distelberg, B., Martin, A., Torres, J., Foster, L., Kramer, K.A., & Lloyd, G.  (2017). Multidimensional Resilience: Reliability, Predictive and Construct Validity of the Individual, Family and Community Resilience Resources (IFCR-R) Profile. Marriage and Family Review, DOI: 10.1080/01494929.2017.1403997
  • Luttrell, T.B., Distelberg, B., Wilson, C., Knudson-Martin, C., & Moline, M., (2017). Exploring the Relationship Balance Assessment. Contemporary Family Therapy. DOI 10.1007/s10591-017-9421-2
  • Avila, A., Distelberg, B.J., Estrada, A, Foster, L., Moline, M., & Huenergardt, D., (2017). Dyadic supervision evaluation: An actor-partner relational model. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12259.
  • Hoff, C., & Distelberg, B., (2017). Developmental pedagogy in family therapy education: Preparing students to work across epistemologies. Journal of Family Theory & Review. 9: 383-390. DOI: 10.1111/jftr.12203
  • Distelberg, B. Staack, A., Elsen, K. & Sabate, J (2017). The effects of coffee on mood, sleep and health related quality of life. Journal of Caffeine Research. 7, (2); 59-70. DOI: 10.1089/jcr.2016.0023
  • Distelberg, B., Tapanes, D., Emerson, ND., Brown, WN., Vaswani, D., Williams-Reade, J., Anspikian, A. & Montgomery, S. (2017). Prospective Pilot Study of the MEND Psychosocial Family Systems Program for Pediatric Chronic Illness. Family Process, DOI: 10.1111/famp.12288
  • Weniger, J., Distelberg, B., Vaswani, D., (2016). Depression and anger as risk factors for suicide with inpatient adolescents. Suicidology Online, 7: 1-10.
  • Avila, A., Distelberg, B., Estrada, A., Samman, S.K., Borieux, M., Yektafar, G., Moline, M., (2016). Developing dyadic evaluations for supervision: An exploratory factor analysis. Contemporary Family Therapy, DOI: 10.1007/s10591-016-9388-4.
  • Reynolds, C.E., Wilson, C., & Distelberg, B. (2016). Relational spirituality and depression among married couples in Antigua. Mental Health, Religion & Culture doi: 10.1080/13674676.2016.1207619.
  • Taylor, S.D. & Distelberg, B., (In print: 2016). Predicting behavioral health outcomes among low-income families: Testing a socioecological model of family resilience determinants. Journal of Child and Family Studies. DOI: 10.1007/s/10826-016-0440-7.
  • Freitas, C. J., Williams-Reade, J., Distelberg, B., Fox, C. A., & Lister, Z. (2016). Paternal depression during pregnancy and postpartum: An international delphi study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 202 pp. 128-136. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.056.
  • Distelberg, B., Emerson, ND., Gavaza, P., Tapanes, D., Brown, WN., Shah, H., Williams-Reade, J., Montgomery, S. (2016). A cost benefit analysis of a family systems intervention for managing pediatric chronic illness. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. 42(3): 371-382 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12166.
  • Staack, A., Distelberg, B., Schlaifer, A., & Sabate, J., (2015). Prospective study on the effects of regular and decaffeinated coffee on urinary symptoms in young and healthy volunteers. Neurology and Urodynamic, DOI: 10.1002/nau.22949.
  • Emerson, N. D., Distelberg, B., Morell, E. R., Williams-Reade, J., Tapanes, D., & Montgomery, S. (2015). Quality of Life and School Absenteeism in Children with Chronic Illness. The Journal of School Nursing. pp.1-9, DOI: 10.1177/1059840515615401.
  • Estrella, J., Foster, L., Borieux, M., & Distelberg, B. (2015). Bouncing Forward Family Group: Multi-Family Groups Resilience Intervention with Low Income Families. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, California Division. Winter 2015. aamftca.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/AAMFT-CA-Winter-2015-eNews.pdf.
  • Llyod, G.M., Munoz, D.R., Tremblay, P.S. Foskett, M.E., Hallett, M.M. Distelberg, B.J. (2015). iRelate: A comprehensive approach empowering young marines to succeed at intimate Relationships. Contemporary Family Therapy, 37, pp. 247-260. DOI: 10.1007/s10591-015-9333-y.
  • Distelberg, B. & Taylor, S. (2015). The role of social support and family resilience in accessing health care and employment resources among families living in traditional public housing communities. Child and Family Social Work, 20, pp.494-506. DOI: 10.1111/cfs.12098.
  • Distelberg, B., & Schwarz, T. (2015). Mentoring across family owned businesses. Family Business Review, 28(3), pp. 193-210. DOI: 10.1177/0894486513511327.
  • Distelberg, B., Martin, A.S., Borieux, M., & Oloo, W. (2015). Multidimensional Family Resilience Assessment: Individual, Family and Community Resilience (IFCR) Profile. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 25(6), pp. 552-570. DOI: 10.1080/10911359.2014.988320.
  • Tapanes, D., Distelberg, B., Williams-Reade, J. & Montgomery, S. (2015). MEND Biopsychosocial Intervention for Pediatric Chronic Illness. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 26, p 3-8. DOI: 10.1080/08975353.2015.
  • Distelberg, B. (2015). Resilience and housing assistance programs. NCFR Report. FF63, F15-F17.
  • Martin, A.S., Distelberg, B.J., & Abed Elahad, J. (2015). The relationship between family resilience and aging successfully. The American Journal of Family Therapy, DOI: 10.1080/01926187.2014.988598.
  • Kuhn, V., Freitas, C., France, B., & Distelberg, B. (2014). Parents in Fragile Families: The Influence of Parental Engagement on Emergency Care Use in Children with Asthma. Families, Systems and Health. doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000081.
  • Stiel, L., Estrella, J., Wang, S. & Distelberg, B. (2014). Family resilience predicts socioeconomic mobility of HUD participants. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 24(7): 759-774. DOI: 10.1080/10911359.2013.873755.
  • Borieux, M., Distelberg, B., Estrella, J. (2014). Multi-groups family resilience intervention. Journal of Family Psychotherapy. 25; 265-270. DOI: 10.1080/08975353.2014.940785.
  • Martin, A.S., Distelberg, B., Palmer, B.W. & Jeste, D.V. (2014). Development of a New Family and Individual Resilience Measure. Aging and Mental Health, DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2014.909383.
  • Distelberg, B., Sirkin-Martin, A., & Borieux, M., (2014). A Deeper Look at the Social Support Index: A multi-dimensional assessment. American Journal of Family Therapy, 42(3), 243-256, DOI 10.1080/01926187.2013.837362.
  • Distelberg, B., Williams-Reade, J., Tapanes, D., Montgomery, S. & Pandit, M. (2014). Evaluation of a Family Systems Approach to Managing Pediatric Chronic Illness: Managing Each New Direction (MEND). Family Process, 53(2), 194-213 DOI:10.1111/famp.12066.
  • Distelberg, B., Simonton, G., & Foster, L., (2014). Longitudinal Study of the Five Year Lease Assistance Program: Year Two Trends. Housing Authority County of San Bernardino. 
  • Martin, A. S., Distelberg, B., Palmer, B. W., Jeste, D. V. Resilience and aging: Development of the multilevel resilience measure [abstract]. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21 (3; Suppl 1), S106-S107.
  • Distelberg, B., Estrella, J., Hearn, A. & Taylor, S. (2013). Longitudinal Study of the Five Year Lease Assistance Program Housing Authority County of San Bernardino: Year One Baseline Report. Housing Authority County of San Bernardino.

Recent Presentations

  • Lobo, E, & Distelberg, B., (2018). Moving Families from Homelessness to Self-Sufficiency. American Family Therapy Association. Austin TX.
  • Distelberg, B., & Tapanes, D., (2018). Biopsychosocial interventions for pediatric chronic illness. Rush University Grand Rounds, May.
  • Tapanes, D., Distelberg, B., Vaswani, D., Fitzgerald, S., & Simonton, G., A Family Systems Approach to Managing Chronic Illnesses. National Council on Family Relations. Orlando, FL
  • Tapanes, D., Distelberg, B., Vaswani, D., Lloyd, G., Fitzgerald, S., (2017). MEND: Children, Families Chronic Illness. American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Atlanta, GE, Oct 2017
  • Lobo, E., & Distelberg, B., (2017). Using Research for Advocacy: A Study of Homeless Families. American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Atlanta, GE, Oct 2017.
  • Lobo, E., Foster, L., Kuhn, V., & Distelberg, B. (2017). Workshop: Using research to advocate for marginalized populations at a policy level. American Family Therapy Academy, Philadelphia PA, May 2017.
  • Distelberg, B., (2017). Key Note Address: Joint Commission Outcome Measure Based Care: Goals and Standards. Association for Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare. Long Beach, CA., July 2017
  • Distelberg, B., (2017). Plenary Speech: MEND: A multidisciplinary approach to chronic illness. American Family Therapy Academy. Philadelphia PA. May 2017.
  • Distelberg, B., & Foster, L. (2017) University studies: MTW Five year lease assistance. Nan McKay MTW conference. Washington D.C. April 2017
  • Foster, L. & Distelberg, B., (2017). MTW Innovations: Five year lease assistance programs. Urban Affairs Association, Minneapolis, MN. April, 2017
  • Emerson, N. D, Mahtani, N., Morell, E. R., Neece, C., Boyd, K. C., & Distelberg, B. (May, 2017). Predictors of Self-Efficacy in Pediatric Chronic Illness: The Role of Race, Parent Education, and Self-Reported Depression. Poster to be presented at the 29th Annual Association for Psychological Science Conference in Boston, MA.
  • Mahtani, ND, Emerson, ND, Morrell, HE, Neece, C., Boyd, KC., Distelberg, BJ., (2017): Preliminary Validation of the Pediatric Rating of Chronic Illness Self Efficacy Scale. 2017 APA Annual Convention. Poster Presentation. 
  • Weniger, J., Distelberg, B., Vaswani, D. (2016). Depression and Anger as Risk Factors for Suicide with Inpatient Adolescents. 2016 Research Affairs Symposium. Poster: October 2016.
  • Distelberg, B., Foster, L., Lobo, E., Buchholz-Castronova, M., (2016): MFT Consultants: Working with low income communities & stakeholders. 2016 Annual American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Session Presentation.
  • Herman, S., Freeman, K., Distelberg, B., & James, S. (2016, October). Changes in clinical functioning among adolescents who self-harm with and without a history of psychiatric hospitalization. Paper to be presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, New York.
  • Herman, S., Freeman, K., Distelberg, B., Mayo, D., & James, S. (2016, September). Gender differences in treatment outcomes using Dialectical Behavior Therapy to treat self-harming adolescents. Poster to be presented at the National Conference in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Lawrence, KS.
  • Distelberg, B., Tapanes, D., Lloyd, G., Vaswani, D., (2016). MEND: A multidimensional approach family systems based approach to chronic illness. American Family Therapy Association, Denver, CO.
  • Moldovan, C.P., Bailey, J., Kim, K., Shen, J., Cheriyan, S., Keheila, M. & Elsen, K., Palma, I.A., Distelberg, B., & Staack, A. (April, 2016). Positive affect and self-esteem in women with overactive bladder symptoms. Poster to be presented at the 96th Annual Western Psychological Association Conference, Long Beach, CA.
  • Emerson, N. D., Distelberg, B., Tapanes, D., Gavaza, P., Brown, W. Shah, H., Williams-Reade, J., & Montgomery, S. (April, 2016). Cost-benefit of a family systems intervention for managing pediatric chronic illness. Poster presented at the 96th Annual Western Psychological Association Conference, Long Beach, CA.
  • Distelberg, B., McNamara, P., & Webb, M. (2016). University partnerships; Evaluation 101. 2016 MTW Conference, April 2016. Washington DC. Retrieved from cart.nanmckay.com/collateral/mtw-conference/2016-mtw-agenda.pdf.
  • Distelberg, B., McNamara, P., Webb, M. W. (2016). Evaluting self-sufficiency efforts: University study update. 2016 MTW Conference, April 2016. Washington DC. Retrieved from cart.nanmckay.com/collateral/mtw-conference/2016-mtw-agenda.pdf.
  • Husing, J., Gallo, M., Barilla, D., Granillo, P., & Distelberg, B., (2016). Launch Initiative: Homeless to middle class, background in homelessness, unemployment and economic trends specifically for the inland empire, southern California. Rotary: Rotary World Peace Conference. January 2016, Ontario, CA.
  • Emerson, N. D., Distelberg, B., Morell, E. R., & Tapanes, D. (March, 2016). The Effect of Parent-Rated Quality of Life on School Attendance in Children with a Chronic Illness. Poster to be presented at the 37th Annual Society of Behavioral Medicine in Washington, DC. 
  • Moldovan, C.P., Bailey, J., Kim, K., Shen, J., Cheriyan, S., Keheila, M. & Elsen, K., Palma, I.A., Distelberg, B., & Staack, A. (April, 2016). Positive affect and self-esteem in women with overactive bladder symptoms. Poster to be presented at the 96th Annual Western Psychological Association Conference, Long Beach, CA.
  • Emerson, N. D., Distelberg, B., Tapanes, D., Gavaza, P., Brown, W. Shah, H., Williams-Reade, J., & Montgomery, S. (April, 2016). Cost-benefit of a family systems intervention for managing pediatric chronic illness. Poster to be presented at the 96th Annual Western Psychological Association Conference, Long Beach, CA.
  • Husing, J., Gallo, M., Barilla, D., Granillo, P., & Distelberg, B., (2016). Launch Initiative: Homeless to middle class, background in homelessness, unemployment and economic trends specifically for the inland empire, southern California. Rotary: Rotary World Peace Conference. January 2016, Ontario, CA.
  • Emerson, N. D., Distelberg, B., Morell, E. R., & Tapanes, D. (March, 2016). The Effect of Parent-Rated Quality of Life on School Attendance in Children with a Chronic Illness. Poster to be presented at the 37th Annual Society of Behavioral Medicine in Washington, DC. 
  • Tapanes, D., Distelberg, B., Williams-Reade, J., Pandit, P. & Montgomery, S (2015). MEND: A Multi-Dimensional Family Systems Based Approach to Pediatric Chronic Illness. Association of Ambulatory Behavioral Health Care. July 18, 2015
  • Taylor, S., Distelberg, B., Stahl, M. (2015). An adaptation of the spiritual perspective scale (SPS) for families: Psychometric properties and predictive validity of the spiritual perspective scale-family version (SPS-FV). Paper at the National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC.
  • Tapanes, D., Distelberg, B., Williams‐Reade, J., Pandit, M, and Montgomery, S., (2015): MEND: A multi-dimensional Family Systems Based Approach to Pediatric Chronic Illness. Presentation at the National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver BC.
  • Distelberg, B., Tapanes, D., Emerson, N., Williams‐Reade, J., Montgomery, S., and Pandit, M (2015): Pilot Study Outcomes of MEND: Family Based Approach to Pediatric Chronic Illness. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC.
  • Lloyd, G., Foster, L., Distelberg, B., (2015). Multidimensional Resilience: Individual, Family and Community Resilience (IFCR) Profile in the Military. Poster presented at the National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver BC.
  • Distelberg, B., McNamara, P., Strick, M.C., Frescoln, K., Webb, M. & Rohe, W. (2015). MTW and University Research Partnerships. 2015 MTW Conference, February 2015. Washington DC. Retrieved from nanmckay.com/p-1596-2015-mtw-conference-february-2-3-2015-washington-dc.aspx.
  • Stiel, L., Estrella, J. Wang, S., & Distelberg, B. (2014). Family Resilience Predicts Socioeconomic Mobility of HUD Participants. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations. Baltimore, MA.
  • Galick, A., Bryant, C., Distelberg, B., Knudson-Martin, C. (2014). Racial Discrimination, Relational Support, and Marital Stability in African American Newlywed. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations. Baltimore, MA.
  • Kuhn, V., Distelberg, B., & France, B (2014, June). An Ecological Model of Academic Outcomes for Chronically Ill Children in Fragile Families. Paper presented at the American Family Therapy Association Conference: Family health and wellbeing: Embracing wholeness and complexity, Athens, GA.
  • Distelberg, B., Tapanes, D., & Pandit, M. (2014, June). MEND: A family systems approach for pediatric chronic illness. Paper presented at the American Family Therapy Association Conference: Family health and wellbeing: Embracing wholeness and complexity, Athens, GA.
  • Martin, A. S., Distelberg, B., Palmer, B. W., & Jeste, D. V. (2014). Development of a new personal and interpersonal resilience measure for older adults. Poster presented at the UCSD School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Lewis L. Judd Young Investigator Symposium: UCSD. March 10.
  • Distelberg, B., Wray, W., Gordon, B., & Estrella, J. (2013). New Challenges for Low‐income Communities: Lessons Learned From Families in Public Housing Assistance Programs. National Council on Family Relations. (Paper Presentation). San Antonio TX.
  • Taylor, S. & Distelberg, B. (2013). A Family Resilience Model of Behavior Health Among Low Income Families National Council on Family Relations. (Poster Presentation). San Antonio, TX.
  • Distelberg, B., Wray, W., Borieux, M & Hearn, A. (2013). Pros and Cons of the Future of Housing Assistance and the Impacts on Low-Income Families. National Council on Family Relations. (Workshop). San Antonio, TX.
  • Martin, A.S., Distelberg, B.J., Palmer, B.W., Jeste, D.V. (2013). Development of a new family and individual resilience measure. Poster presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry’s 2013 Annual Meeting: Los Angeles, CA, March 14-17.
  • Staack, A.  Distelberg, B.J., Chung, C, Baker, K, Schlaifer, A., Anderson, K and Ruckle, H. (2013). The effects of regular and decaffeinated coffee on voiding symptoms in young healthy volunteers. Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association Education and Research Inc. March 2013, San Diego, CA.
  • Chung, CS., Baker, K., Distelberg, B. & Staack, A. (2013). The Effects of Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee on Voiding Symptoms in Young Healthy Volunteers. Western Regional Meeting American Federation for Medical Research. January 2013, Carmel, CA.
  • Staack, A.  Distelberg, B.J., Chung, C, Baker, K, Schlaifer, A., Anderson, K and Ruckle, H. (2013). The effects of regular and decaffeinated coffee on voiding symptoms in young healthy volunteers. Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction, Winter 2013, Las Vegas, NV.

Community Engagement

  • Faculty Scholar, Institute for Health Policy (2016-present)
  • Chairperson for Knowledge Education for Your Success (KEYS), 501(c)(3) (2011-present)