Rate My Professor Kristy Chong

Dr. Kristy Chong serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Monash University Malaysia, part of the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She completed her PhD in Psychology from Monash University on 6 September 2023, with a thesis entitled 'Is the Past, Past? Exploring the Influence of Colonialism on Race and Inequality in Malaysia.' Her research examines sociohistorical influences on social inequalities, cultural perspectives on family dynamics, wellbeing outcomes in adolescents, culturally sensitive methodologies, and efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity. Adopting a social constructivist lens and decolonial feminist approach, Chong prioritizes lived experiences and participant narratives to investigate how societal norms, values, and power structures shape perceptions and behaviors. She is actively developing expertise in sociopolitical determinants of health and wellbeing, incorporating community-informed research through codesign and participatory action with marginalized communities. Her work also explores social determinants of health and Indigenous perspectives on wellbeing.

Chong's scholarly contributions include the 2021 publication 'Trust predicts COVID-19 prescribed and discretionary behavioral intentions in 23 countries' in PLOS ONE, co-authored with an international team of researchers. Additional works are 'Who is the Neoliberal? Exploring Neoliberal Beliefs across East and West' in the Journal of Social Issues (2019), and 'Racialised perspectives on inequality: a qualitative exploration into cultural knowledge structures among Malaysian minorities,' accepted for Ethnic and Racial Studies (2025). In this latter study, thematic analysis of interviews with ethnic Chinese Malaysians revealed attributions of inequality to systemic racism, individual mindsets, societal norms, historical events, and institutional structures. She led as Primary Chief Investigator the project 'Reflections and Recommendations for Integrating Southeast Asian Indigenous Psychology (SEA-IP) into Undergraduate Psychology Education,' spanning February to October 2025. Chong teaches units including PSY4210 Statistics and Data Science for Psychology and PSY3052 Cultural Safety, Responsiveness and Reflexivity in Practice at the Malaysia campus. She contributes as a core member to the Workplace Wellbeing Centre.