Jacky Boivin

Professor Jacky Boivin's research aims to bring about a more systematic and research oriented perspective to the investigation of psychological issues in reproductive health. This more rigorous experimental approach has debunked popular myths, given credibility to longstanding claims about stress effects on reproductive health and provoked important changes in the delivery of psychosocial services to people with fertility problems. Jacky's psychobiological research involves clarifying the effect of negative psychological states and traits on reproductive processes and identifying biological and life style mechanisms mediating these effects. The research on the role and effectiveness of psychological interventions in medical contexts aims to develop interventions that minimise negative affect in people experiencing threatening medical events, for example, the effectiveness of brief coping interventions and decision-aids. The follow-up research targets couples who conceived with fertility treatment to examine the impact of older maternal age on family well-being, and the impact of genetic relatedness and family environment on developmental outcomes in children conceived with fertility treatment.

View Jacky Boivin's researcher profile on the Cardiff University website