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Dr Jo-Pei Tan

Senior Lecturer in Integrated Health and Social Care

My core interest is on understanding care relations, including parenting and grandparenting and, the contribution of Middle generation on health and care support within and beyond cultural contexts.

My profile

Biography

Academic and professional qualifications

Jo-Pei graduated from the University of Oxford (2008) with a PhD in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and a Master’s in Social and Developmental Psychology from University of Cambridge (2004). She is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. She also worked as visiting professor for the Next-Generation Global Workshop for ECR in Asia Research at University of Kyoto since 2011 and has spoken about her research at the Kyoto University (Japan), National University Singapore (NUS), Institute of Family and Gender Studies (Vietnam), Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Universiti Putra Malaysia and, Oxford. 

Jo-Pei has published several academic books with Malaysia and International publishers. Her most recent book is with Brill Academics which is a research-based project on exploration of care within and beyond family among modern societies in Southeast Asia. Jo-Pei has spoken on Malaysia’s BFM radio, the UK’s BBC local radio station and Podcasts on matters related to children and family interaction.

Prizes and awards

I was awarded the 2008 Young Researcher Award for the Category of Social Sciences and Humanities by the University of Putra, Malaysia when I worked with them. 

Interests and expertise

Jo-Pei specialised in care relations, intergenerational care and family relations including parenting and grandparenting, especially the East and South East Asian communities. In particular, she is keen in investigating how new means of interaction within and beyond family and culture would associate with care provision and cross-generation relationships and, how they impact children and adolescent’s development,. Having led and co-led numerous cross-national studies, Jo-Pei has accumulated extensive experience in mixed-methods research design, survey construction and strong advanced quantitative analytical skills including multivariate analysis and moderation-mediation testing.

Jo-pei has taught both undergraduate, post-graduate and professional practitioners in Malaysia, Vietnam and the UK institutions on subjects expanding from child development, parent-child interaction, health and social care to social research methods. Building on her rich teaching experience, she is very interested in using interactive methods, e-learning and activities-based approach to enhance learning and teaching experience.
 

Reviewing:

Family Process; Current Psychology; Children & Youth Services Review; Quantitative data analysis Reviewer, Social Work Education; Quantitative data analysis specialist, Community, Family and Work

Get in touch

0161 247 2119
Brooks Building

Projects

Selected projects on Care relations: 

  1. Comparative Asian Family Survey (CAFS) in Malaysia’ as Principal Investigator.
  2.  ’Literature bank: Translation of Key literature on Care in Southeast Asia’ as Principal Investigator.
  3. Stockport NHS Foundation grant, ‘Development of Engaging Extended Family within Home Visiting Service Provision’ as Co-PI
  4. British Academy-Newton Mobility Grant, ‘Care in Modern Family: Perspective of Older and Younger Generations in two Major Cities in Vietnam and the UK’
  5. Research England – QR Global Challenges Research Fund, ‘Resilience and Connectedness of the Middle Generation in the Provision of Elder care in Vietnam’ as Principal Investigator
  6. Developing Country Fellowship from International Society for Study of Behavioural Development (ISSBD), ‘Positive Grandparenting and Ageing Program for Malaysian Grandparents: Preliminary Study’

Selected projects on Parenting and Grandparenting:

  1. Benchmarking Parenting Competencies and its Correlates to Child Well-Being: Implications for Enhancing Human Capital Development’, as Co-PI.
  2. Intergenerational Influence, parental Involvement and Child-Adolescent Biopsychosocial Well-Being’, as Co-PI
  3. Developing a Model for Parenting Practices of Multicultural Families in Malaysia’ as Principal Investigator
  4. Parents and Children in Families and in Cultures (PACIFIC)’, in collaboration with Department of Psychology at HELP University Malaysia and Brigham Young University, USA. Co-PI
  5. Research grant from Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, ‘Analysis and adaptation of a measurement instrument for parenting/parenting-related skills’, in collaboration with the NGO Pro Familia.
  6. The Development and Testing of Grandparenting Stressor-Strength Inventory in Malaysia’ as Principal Investigator

Teaching

Supervision

I currently supervise a number of undergraduates and postgraduates carrying out research in Family Ecology, Psychology of Child Development or Developmental Psychology.

Research outputs

My research and publications focus on how different aspects of culture impact parenting and socialization processes, and children behaviour. In particularly, among children, young people, parents and families from different cultural backgrounds (i.e. socio-cultural context, mixed versus monocultural, majority versus minority) and vulnerable groups (i.e. children in care, care leavers). I am also interested in the policy implications of research findings in the context of evidence-based interventions and how evidenced-based programme influence general population and at-risk groups. I am a mixed-methods researcher and specialises in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. I also specialise in multivariate analysis with extensive experience in examining the various models of parenting pratices across different groups and how it relate to children and young people behaviour.

  • Chapters in books

    Chen, B.B., Tan, J.P. (2020) 'Brothers and sisters in China: no longer the one-child family.' In Buchanan, A., Rotkirch, A. (ed.) Brothers and Sisters: sibling relationships across the life course. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 185-201.

    Tan, J.P., Ibrahim, R., Tengku Aizan, A.H., Ashari, A. (2018) 'Cultural, Demographic, Socio-economic Background and Care Relations in Malaysia.' In Tan, J.P., Wongboonsin, P. (ed.) Care Relations in Southeast Asia The Family and Beyond. BRILL Academics, pp. 41-98.

    Tan, J.P., Rahimah, I. (2018) 'Care Relations within the Family..' In Tan, J.P., Wongboonsin, P. (ed.) Care Relations in Southeast Asia The Family and Beyond. BRILL Academics, pp. 188-238.

    Tan, J.P., Nguyen Huu, M., Tran Thi, M.T., Wongboonsin, P., Rahimah, I. (2018) 'Care Relations among Non-coresident Families.' In Tan, J.P., Wongboonsin, P. (ed.) Care Relations in Southeast Asia The Family and Beyond. Brill Academics, pp. 239-280.

    Tan, J.P., Eun, K., Wongboonsin, K., Wongboonsin, P., Rahimah, I., Nguyen Huu, M. (2018) 'Convergence versus Divergence: Care Relations across Three Societies..' In Tan, J.P., Wonboonsin, P. (ed.) Care Relations in Southeast Asia The Family and Beyond. BRILL, pp. 313-338.

    Tan, J.P., Wongboonsin, P., Rahimah, I., Tengku Aizan, T.H. (2018) 'Synopsis and Way Forward..' In Tan, J.P., Wongboonsin, P. (ed.) Care Relations in Southeast Asia The Family and Beyond. BRILL Academics, pp. 339-356.

    McLaughlin, H., Tan, J.P. (2017) 'Social work academia and policy in the United Kingdom.' Where Academia and Policy Meet: A Cross-National Perspective on the Involvement of Social Work Academics in Social Policy. pp. 201-219.

    Tan, J. (2016) 'Links Between Grandfather Involvement and Adolescent Well-Being in England and Wales.' Grandfathers.

  • Journal articles

    Chan, C.M.H., Siau, C.S., Wong, J.E., Yahya, N., Azmi, N.A., Chu, S.Y., Ahmad, M., Chong, A.S.S., Wee, L.H., Tan, J.P. (2023) 'Characterizing employees with primary and secondary caregiving responsibilities: informal care provision in Malaysia.' Healthcare, 11(14) pp. 2033-2033.

    Ren, H., Hart, C.H., Cheah, C.S.L., Porter, C.L., Nelson, D.A., Yavuz-Müren, H.M., Gao, W., Haron, F., Jiang, L., Kawashima, A., Shibazaki-Lau, A., Nakazawa, J., Nelson, L.J., Robinson, C.C., Selçuk, A.B., Evans-Stout, C., Tan, J.P., Yang, C., Quek, A.H., Zhou, N. (2023) 'Parenting measurement, normativeness, and associations with child outcomes: comparing evidence from four non-Western cultures.' Developmental Science,

    Zong, X., Ingoglia, S., Lo Coco, A., Tan, J.P., Inguglia, C., Liga, F., Cheah, C.S.L. (2022) 'Evaluating the filial behaviour scale across three cultural groups using exploratory structural equation modelling.' International Journal of Psychology, 58(1) pp. 42-51.

    Gan, S.W., Tan, J.P., Ang, C.S., Cheah, C.S.L., Yaacob, S.N., Abu Talib, M. (2022) 'Examining a Conceptual Model of Maternal and Paternal Warmth, Emotion Regulation and Social Competence among Preadolescent Children in Malaysia.' The Journal of Genetic Psychology: Research and Theory on Human Development, 183(4) pp. 312-327.

    Nainee, S., Tan, S.A., Tan, C.S., Gan, S.W., Tan, J.P. (2021) 'Asian “Guan” Parenting and Life Satisfaction Among Adolescents in Malaysia: The Mediating Role of Filial Piety.' Frontiers in Psychology, 12pp. 746540-746540.

    Tan, S.A., Yaacob, S.N., Tan, J.P. (2018) 'The usage of sexual internet media and sexual behaviour among sexually experienced adolescents in Malaysia: Sexual intention as a mediator.' Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 26(4) pp. 2571-2582.

    Tan, J.P. (2018) 'Do grandparents matter? Intergenerational relationships between the closest grandparents and Malaysian adolescents.' Contemporary Social Science, 13(2) pp. 246-260.

    Ang, C.S., Tan, J.P., Fam, S.Y. (2016) 'Psychometric Properties of the Training Parenting Style Scale in a Malaysian Sample of Adolescents: Factor Analysis, Internal Consistency, and Measurement Invariance.' Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(5) pp. 1505-1514.

    Hoe Nee, C., Yaacob, S.N., Baharudin, R., Jo-Pei, T. (2016) 'Adolescents’ life satisfaction in Selangor, Malaysia: The effect of demographic differences.' Asian Social Science, 12(2) pp. 1-8.

    Barn, R., Tan, J.P. (2015) 'Foster youth and drug use: Exploring risk and protective factors.' Children and Youth Services Review, 56pp. 107-115.

    Choon, M.W., Abu Talib, M., Yaacob, S.N., Awang, H., Tan, J.P., Hassan, S., Ismail, Z. (2015) 'Negative automatic thoughts as a mediator of the relationship between depression and suicidal behaviour in an at-risk sample of Malaysian adolescents.' Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 20(2) pp. 89-93.

    Ang, C.S., Abu Talib, M., Tan, K.A., Tan, J.P., Yaacob, S.N. (2015) 'Understanding computer-mediated communication attributes and life satisfaction from the perspectives of uses and gratifications and self-determination.' Computers in Human Behavior, 49pp. 20-29.

    Ang, C.S., Talib, M.A., Tan, J.P., Yaacob, S.N. (2014) 'Computer-mediated communication use among adolescents and its implication for psychological need satisfaction.' Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 22(3) pp. 861-877.

    Wai, C.M., Talib, M.A., Yaacob, S.N., Jo-Pei, T., Awang, H., Hassan, S., Ismail, Z. (2014) 'Hope and its relation to suicidal risk behaviors among Malaysian adolescents.' Asian Social Science, 10(12) pp. 67-71.

    Tan, J., Barn, B., Barn, R. (2014) 'Smart Phone Activity: Risk-Taking Behaviours and Perceptions on Data Security among Young People in England.' International Journal of Social and Organizational Dynamics in IT, 3(4) pp. 43-58.

    Tan, J., Kuay, H.S., Siti Nor, Y., Rumaya, J. (2013) 'Parental involvement and health practices as predictors of social functioning among children in Peninsular Malaysia.' Archives Des Sciences, 66(1) pp. 736-750.

    Tan, J., Siti Nor, Y., Tan, S.A., Esmaeili, N.S., Rumaya, J. (2013) 'Role of Gender in Perceived Stress and Adjustments among Adolescent in Malaysia.' Jokull, 63(7) pp. 221-234.

    Tan, J., Lim, H.J., Rozumah, B. (2013) 'Perceived Parental Warmth and Depression in Early Adolescents: Path Analysis on the Role of Self-esteem as a Mediator..' Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 21(1) pp. 165-178.

    Tan, J., Siti Nor, Y., Tan, S.A., Rumaya, J. (2012) 'Malaysian Adolescent's Life Satisfaction.' Archives Des Sciences, 65(8) pp. 182-192.

    Barn, R., Tan, J.P. (2012) 'Foster youth and crime: Employing general strain theory to promote understanding.' Journal of Criminal Justice, 40(3) pp. 212-220.

    Tan, J. (2012) 'Inter-ethnic and mono-ethnic families: Examining the association of parenting and child emotional and behavioural adjustment.' Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 20(1) pp. 165-178.

    Tan, J., Rozumah, B., Krauss, S., Siti Nor, Y. (2011) 'Family processes as predictors of antisocial behaviors among adolescents from urban, single-mother Malay families in Malaysia.' Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 45(4) pp. 509-522.

    Flouri, E., Buchanan, A., Tan, J.P., Griggs, J., Attar-Schwartz, S. (2010) 'Adverse life events, area socio-economic disadvantage, and adolescent psychopathology: The role of closeness to grandparents in moderating the effect of contextual stress.' Stress: The International Journal on the Biology of Stress, 13(5) pp. 402-412.

    Tan, J.P., Buchanan, A., Flouri, E., Attar-Schwartz, S., Griggs, J. (2010) 'Filling the parenting gap? grandparent involvement with U.K. adolescents.' Journal of Family Issues, 31(7) pp. 992-1015.

    Ismail, N., Jo-Pei, T., Ibrahim, R. (2009) 'The relationship between parental belief on filial piety and child psychosocial adjustment among malay families.' Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 17(2) pp. 215-224.

    Attar-Schwartz, S., Tan, J.P., Buchanan, A. (2009) 'Adolescents' perspectives on relationships with grandparents: The contribution of adolescent, grandparent, and parent-grandparent relationship variables.' Children and Youth Services Review, 31(9) pp. 1057-1066.

    Tan, J., Nellie, I., Rahimah, I. (2009) 'The relationship between parental belief on filial piety and child psychosocial adjustment among Malay Families.' Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 17(2) pp. 283-292.

    Griggs, J., Tan, J.P., Buchanan, A., Attar-Schwartz, S., Flouri, E. (2009) '‘They’ve Always Been There for Me’: Grandparental Involvement and Child Well-Being.' Children & Society,

    Attar-Schwartz, S., Tan, J.P., Buchanan, A., Flouri, E., Griggs, J. (2009) 'Grandparenting and adolescent adjustment in two-parent biological, lone-parent, and step-families..' Journal of Family Psychology, 23(1) pp. 67-75.

    Tan, J., Rozumah, B., Rumaya, J., Krauss, S.E. (2008) 'Socio-demographic characteristics of intercultural marriage: A study of a multi-ethnic community in Malaysia.' European Journal of Social Sciences, 5(4) pp. 30-44.

  • Conference papers

    Barn, B.S., Barn, R., Tan, J.P. (2014) 'Young people and smart phones: An empirical study on information security.' pp. 4504-4514.