Dr Grace Yap Chin Choo

Dr Grace Yap Chin Choo

  • Senior Lecturer
Department of Psychology

Biography

Dr Grace Yap is a psychologist by training. She began her career in Malaysia in the late 1990s as a professional counsellor upon completion of her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the United States of America. With the conviction that education is the best approach to develop healthy minds and reduce psychological issues, she set foot in tertiary institutions to work with emerging adults directly at the capacity of Sunway University. She then took a four-year break to embark on her postgraduate studies to strengthen her proficiency working with young adults. After obtaining her doctorate degree from Monash University, she re-embarked on her career path with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and now Sunway University. She currently collaborates with researchers from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman in the areas of complementary medicine and personal health management, grand-parenting and wellbeing, prolonged life crisis, and altruistic behaviours.

 

Academic & Professional Qualifications

  • PhD in Psychology, Monash University, Malaysia (2016)
  • PGDip in Satir Systemic Brief Therapy, Northwest Satir Instituation, Canada (1998)
  • MEd in Gerontology, University of Central Oklahoma, USA (1995)
  • BA in Psychology, University of Central Oklahoma, USA (1993)

Research Interests

  • Alternative medicine & personal health management
  • Health psychology
  • Prosocial & altruistic behaviour

Notable Publications

  1. Yap, C.C., Tan, S.A., Cosmas, G., Ayob, S., & Ong, A.W.H. (2017). A glimpse inside the secret of success in diabetes blood glucose control from the psychosocial perspectives. The First Southeast Asia Regional Conference of Psychology (RCP2017) Conference Proceeding, 2, 99–108.
  2. Tam, C.L., Bonn, G., Yeoh, S.H., Yap, C.C., & Wong, C.P. (2016). Physical exercise and its correlates among adults in Malaysia. PLOS ONE, 11(6), 1–14.
  3. Yap, M.H., Koh, D.H., Yap, C.C., & Tan, S.A. (2016). The impact of emotional intelligence on problem behaviour among adolescents in Malaysia. International Conference on Humanities (ICH2016) Conference Proceeding, 129–138.
  4. Yap, C.C., Tam, C.L., Saravanan, M., & Kadirvelu, A. (2015). Personal attributions, emotion managements, social supports, and diabetes knowledge in diabetes self-care adherence. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health, 7(6), 104–119.
  5. Yap, C.C., Tam, C.L., Bonn, G.B., Saravanan, M., & Kadirvelu, A. (2014). Psychosocial variables influencing diabetes self-management and quality of life: A pilot study. In F.L. Gaol, S. Kadry, M. Taylor, & S.L. Pak (Eds.), Recent Trends in Social Behaviour Sciences (pp. 319–325). London: Taylor & Francis Group.
  6. Teoh, H-J, Yap, C.C., & Ong, J. (2010). Neighbourhood crime survey. Malaysia: Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation Selangor Chapter (MCPF).
  7. Chan, L.C. & Yap, C.C. (2009). Age, gender and religiosity to death anxiety. Sunway Academic Journal, 6, 1–16.