SMU BSocSc Students receive MSF Social and Family Research Grant

SMU BSocSc Students receive MSF Social and Family Research Grant

Two SOSS undergraduate students – Fiona Ng (3rd year) and Megan Choy (4th year) were awarded research grants under the Social and Family Research Fund (SFRF) from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). Each student received $1,000 for their proposed developmental studies. 

Name Project Title
Fiona Ng

The Role of Executive Functions on Direct and Indirect Bullying in Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Moral Identity

Megan Choy          

Stress Profiles differentially predict Executive Functions in Older Adults

 

The MSF Social and Family Research Fund (SFRF) was introduced in 2008 to support research which identifies emerging trends and issues, strengthen the evidence base for social and family development policies and improve the Ministry’s forward planning capabilities to respond quickly and effectively to new challenges and opportunities. By providing funding support to researchers, the Ministry aims to promote ground-up research initiatives which can potentially inform and make a difference to Singapore’s social and family landscape.

According to Fiona, “I will be using the grant to fund my senior thesis project, where I will be surveying students from local secondary schools, to examine the impact of their executive functions and moral identity on different forms of bullying behaviour towards their peers, i.e., direct and indirect bullying.”

Clued in by the title “Stress Profiles differentially predict Executive Functions in Older Adults”, Megan’s research seeks to understand the impact of different subgroups of stressors on cognition in older adults. The grant will be used to fund participants who take part in the research study.

Said Megan, "This grant contributes to my research bysupporting the collection of useful information on protective and risk factors, e.g., physical activity, strong social support, and financial support amongst others, against vulnerability to poor cognition (Executive Functions) among older adults. These factors can help to promote resilience against aging-related health risks and better well-being. In addition, this knowledge can shed light on intervention strategies required from governmental and health organizations to support groups at risk of being affected by certain stressors.” 

Congratualations to Fiona and Megan on your outstanding seniro thesis projects and grant awards!