Contact Information
Email: jbilling@umbc.edu
Office: Math/Psych 306
Phone: 410-455-2349
Fax: 410-455-1055
Lab: Sondheim 412
Lab Website: The Youth RISE Lab

Assistant Professor
Education
- Ph.D. Community Psychology — University of Virginia, 2022
Area of Study
- Community Psychology
Courses Taught
- Exploring the Discipline and Careers (PSYC 309)
Research Interests
Dr. Billingsley’s research focuses on the study of normative and adaptive processes fostering healthy development among African American adolescents facing contextual adversity. She utilizes qualitative and mixed-method approaches to uncover how African American adolescents can leverage pre-existing strengths in their lives, such as supportive intergenerational familial bonds, to promote their social-emotional well-being. Additionally, Dr. Billingsley’s work examines sociocultural influences on African American adolescents’ social-emotional development and also considers how African American youth understand and respond to their social environments.
Graduate Research and Training Opportunities
Yes, graduate research opportunities available.
Undergraduate Research and Training Opportunities
Yes, undergraduate research opportunities available.
Graduate Program Affiliation(s)
Human Services Psychology
Selected Publications
- Black adolescents’ disclosure and advice-seeking: Making choices between parents and adult relatives. Billingsley, J.T., Rivens, A.J., & Hurd, N.M. (2024). Family Relations. Advance online publication.
- Project DREAM: Iterative development of an afterschool program with an emphasis on youth-adult relationships. Hurd, N.M., & Billingsley, J.T. (2023). American Journal of Community Psychology, 72(3-4), 395-408.
- Raising resilient Black women: A study of superwoman mothering and strength as a form of gendered racial socialization in Black mother-daughter relationships. Leath, S., Billingsley, J.T., Jones, M., Johnson, K., Taliaferro, J., & Gaskin-Cole, G. (2023). Sex Roles, 89(11), 1-18.
- Exploring the nature of Black adolescents’ unfair treatment by adults at school: Implications for adolescents’ trust in adults. Griffith, A.N., Leggett, C., Billingsley, J.T., Wittrup, A.R., & Hurd, N.M. (2022). Child & Youth Care Forum, 51(6), 1063-1089
- Familial mentor support and Black youths’ connectedness to parents across adolescence. Billingsley, J.T., Rivens, A.J., Charity-Parker, B.M., Chang, S., Garrett, S., Li, T., & Hurd, N.M. (2021). Youth & Society, 54(4), 547-572.
CV
Janelle Billingsley CV – Last Updated September 2024