Sofia Pavanello Decaro

• PhD
• PostDoc Position at Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca

Chemsex, the use of psychoactive substances during sexual activity, is prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM) and is associated with various health risks. Despite increasing global attention, research on chemsex in Italy remains scarce. This cross-sectional study explored the prevalence and characteristics of chemsex among Italian MSM, its...

Asexual and aromantic spectrum identities (ASPEC) experience stigma and invisibility and are at risk of worse mental health outcomes. Healthcare providers lack knowledge on the topic of asex-uality and aromanticism, resulting in intentional or unintentional discriminations. The present study explores the interactions of ASPEC people with healthcare...

This study aimed to explore the experiences, needs, and interests of queer people who are also neurodivergent, or live with a chronic illness or disability (i.e. IMMI: individuals with multi-minority identities) in Italy and the Netherlands. Five focus groups were conducted in Italy with 22 queer IMMI to identify their most relevant topics regardin...

Introduction The present study explores the influence of role models on the development of masculinity among emerging adults, specifically focusing on how Italian transgender and cisgender young men draw inspiration from role models to shape their own identities. Methods We conducted six focus groups with 16 trans masculine and 15 cisgender emergi...

Objectives This study aimed to explore the experiences of intersex people in relation to their affective and sexual relationships, body, sexuality, and physical intimacy. It also investigated the subjective perception of the persons’ condition, and the ways and times in which their status as intersex emerged. Methods Five interviews with Italian a...

Masculinities are defined as the repository of cultural and personal meanings attributed to men and boys. According to literature, masculinity ideals have an impact on how men behave. The present study aims at investigating how emerging adults interpret the concept of masculinity and embody and enact it. We were interested in understanding whether...

Background: Sexuality research on the sexual practices of women who have sex with women (WSW) has thus far mostly centered on risk factors and addressed a limited number of practices, with a focus on oral sex and insertive vaginal sex. Aim: This study arises from the need to fill such a significant gap, which prevents researchers, clinicians, and p...

This study investigates the relationship between sexual quality of life (SQoL) and internalized homonegativity among Italian lesbian and bisexual cisgender women, drawing on the minority stress model. The aim of this study is to compare levels of internalized homonegativity and SQoL between the two groups, exploring the association between these va...

Transgender or non-binary (TGNB) people are often present as protagonists of pornographic material. This study is the first to consider TGNB people as critical consumers of sexually explicit material. The sample included 212 self-identified TGNB individuals: 47.2% trans man/transmasculine, 15.6% trans woman/transfeminine and 37.3% non-binary. The o...

Objectives We aimed to evaluate the associations between self-reported pathological narcissistic traits, both grandiose and vulnerable, and sexual functioning in a large sample of nonclinical women. We also tested body image self-consciousness, which we hypothesized could have a mediating role in these associations. Methods Participants (N = 656 w...

Objectives We aimed to evaluate the associations between self-reported pathological narcissistic traits, both grandiose and vulnerable, and sexual functioning in a large sample of nonclinical women. We also tested body image self-consciousness, which we hypothesized could have a mediating role in these associations. Methods Participants (N = 656 w...

Objectives The aims of our longitudinal study on a cohort of transgender people entering Ghent Hospital are to evaluate the evolution of the QoL and to examine the social support factors in relation to the QoL at the four different assessment times, and to evaluate the evolution of gender incongruence. Methods The sample is made up of 119 people r...

Numerous studies have established the importance of body image self-consciousness in predicting sexual distress and dissatisfaction in women. However, there is a dearth of information analyzing whether the same relation applies to men. Sexual perfectionism is a sexual correlate that has shown diverse links with sexual-related outcomes. The aim of t...

Introduction Masculinity and masculine norms are still relevant in the current social context. Literature showed that some masculine norms could be considered protective health buffers, while traditional masculinity has negative consequences on men’s behaviors, relationships, and health. Methods In the present study, we aimed at investigating tran...

Introduction The distress caused by gender incongruence has been shown to be reduced with gender-affirming care. The current study follows a cohort of patients that requested gender-affirming care at Ghent University Hospital and examines the outcome of the procedures. Methods The prospective design with 4 assessment times allows the study to asse...

Background: Individuals with narcissistic traits, specifically vulnerable ones, are more prone to experiencing concerns related to self-worth and physical appearance and to showing heightened sensitivity to appearance evaluation. Negative body image and body image self-consciousness may, in turn, undermine sexual functioning, especially when appre...