Brian J. Distelberg, PhD, MA | School of Behavioral Health | Loma Linda University

Brian Distelberg, PhD, MA

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

  • Distelberg B., Tapanes D. (2018) MEND Psychosocial Family Systems Program for Pediatric Chronic Illness. In: Lebow J., Chambers A., Breunlin D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8.
  • 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.

Recent Presentations

  • Distelberg, B., & Tapanes, D., (2018). Biopsychosocial interventions for pediatric chronic illness. Rush University Grand Rounds, May.
  • 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.

Community Engagement

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