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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 emerging adults. We transcribed and analyzed the discussions using a specific qualitative analysis framework for focus groups. Results Both groups identified family members and individuals from the entertainment industry as sources of inspiration for masculinity. Cisgender participants mentioned more role models from the sport industry, whereas trans participants mentioned more social media influencers. Cisgender participants also identified role models embodying traditional masculinity traits, whereas both groups created “anti-models” representing characteristics they rejected in their ideals of masculinity. Conclusions The study reveals differences in the sources of inspiration and the construction of masculine identities between the two groups. We suggest integrating Todd et al.’s (2022) model for the evolution of transgender masculine identities, taking into account the subtle distinctions rooted in gender socialization and identity.

L'obiettivo di questa tesi è esaminare in modo approfondito i fattori psicologici e sociali che contribuiscono alle disparità di salute tra le persone appartenenti a minoranze sessuali e di genere. Gli argomenti trattati provengono da un'ampia gamma di discipline accademiche, tra cui psicologia clinica e sociale, sociologia, antropologia, salute pubblica, psicologia evoluzionistica, politica e studi medici e neuroscientifici. Affrontare il tema dell'identità e della salute implica affrontare la complessità. Esaminare l'intricato rapporto tra identità e salute richiede un'approfondita esplorazione dei molteplici fattori che influenzano un particolare fenomeno o comportamento. Di conseguenza, questa tesi analizza una moltitudine di argomenti correlati, come l'identità sessuale e di genere, lo stigma, lo stress sociale, la salute mentale e fisica, il benessere, i contesti socio-ecologici, le relazioni, i diritti e le dinamiche politiche. La tesi è strutturata in tre parti principali, ognuna ulteriormente suddivisa in sezioni e sottosezioni. Parte I: Processi sociali e psicologici, disparità nella salute e diritti tra le minoranze sessuali e di genere La Parte I mira a fornire una comprensione graduale e completa delle fondamenta teoriche su cui si basa la ricerca sulle disparità di salute delle minoranze sessuali e di genere. Inizia offrendo una panoramica dei concetti fondamentali riguardanti chi sono le minoranze sessuali e di genere (§1-2). Vengono introdotti e esaminati concetti chiave come lo stigma (§3) e lo stress (§4) nel contesto di come si combinino per formare una forma unica di stress nota come minority stress. Viene ripercorso lo sviluppo storico della Minority Stress Theory e la sua applicazione alla salute e al benessere delle minoranze sessuali e di genere (§5). Inoltre, la Parte I esplora il concetto di stigma strutturale (§6) e ne investiga il legame con il minority stress nelle minoranze sessuali e di genere. Si esamina anche il ruolo delle, The aim of this dissertation is to comprehensively examine the psychological and social factors that contribute to health disparities among sexual and gender minority individuals. The topics investigated draw from a diverse range of academic disciplines, including clinical and social psychology, sociology, anthropology, public health, evolutionary psychology, politics, and medical and neuroscientific studies. Indeed, dealing with identity and health implies dealing with complexity. Addressing the intricate interplay between identity and health requires an in-depth exploration of the multiple elements that influence a particular phenomenon or behavior. Accordingly, this thesis will explore a multitude of interrelated topics, such as sexual and gender identity, stigma, social stress, mental and physical health, well-being, socio-ecological contexts, relationships, rights, and political dynamics. The thesis is structured into three main parts, each further divided into sections and subsections. Part I: Social and psychological processes, health disparities and rights among sexual and gender minority people Part I aims to provide a gradual and comprehensive understanding of the theoretical foundation that underpins research on health disparities among sexual and gender minorities. It begins by offering an overview of the fundamental concepts pertaining to who sexual and gender minority individuals are (§1-2). Key concepts like stigma (§3) and stress (§4) are introduced and examined in the context of how they combine to form a unique form of stress referred to as minority stress. The historical development of the Minority Stress Theory and its application to the health and well-being of sexual and gender minority populations is traced (§5). Additionally, Part I explores the concept of structural stigma (§6) and investigates its connection to minority stress among sexual and gender minorities. The role of policy and legislation in defining structural stigma is also explor

Some trans people experience gender dysphoria, which refers to psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one's gender assigned at birth and one's gender identity. People who are trans masculine or nonbinary assigned-female-at-birth may pursue multiple domains of gender affirmation, including surgical affirmation (e.g., masculine chest reconstruction, penile reconstruction, etc.). The present study aimed to investigate the possible factors involved in trans people's desire to undergo gender-affirming genital surgery. Trans masculine and nonbinary participants (N = 127; mean age = 26.90) were recruited through a web-based survey and completed self-report instruments (i.e., the Internalized Transphobia subscale of the Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Measure, the Trans Positive Identity Measure, the Gender Congruence and Life Satisfaction Scale, an ad hoc scale on transnormativity, and a single-item on desire to undergo genital affirmation surgery). A path analysis showed that higher levels of internalized transphobia led to more significant genital discomfort via a dual parallel mediation of transnormativity and positive identity. Moreover, this genital discomfort fueling pattern was the most significant predictor of the desire to undergo genital surgery as the effect of internalized transphobia was fully mediated by increased genital discomfort. Findings are discussed in the light of the recent strand of research on gender dysphoria as a multifaceted construct, with social components.

OBJECTIVE: Social cognition and executive deficits are frequent in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Yet, there is a paucity of standardized domain-specific psychometric tools for the assessment of complex decision-making, social cognition (i.e., Theory of Mind), and empathy. To this aim, this study intended at providing normative data in an Italian population sample for the Iowa Gambling Task, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. METHOD: The Iowa Gambling Task, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index were administered to 462 healthy Italian participants aged between 18 and 91 years, considering demographic factors. A confirmatory factor analysis was run to test for unidimensionality. Normative values were derived by means of the Equivalent Scores method. RESULTS: Education predicted all tests' scores, age influenced scores at the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, gender predicted empathic abilities only. The three tests did not underpin a unidimensional structure. CONCLUSIONS: The present work provides demographically adjusted Italian normative data for a set of tests assessing real-life decision-making, emotion recognition and empathy, filling a gap within II-level, domain-specific, neuropsychological testing. For the first time, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index is proposed as an adjuvant neuropsychological tool, while the standardization of the Iowa Gambling Task offers a new scoring system for advantageous/disadvantageous choices.

The present study investigated the ways trans masculine and nonbinary individuals describe aspects of their sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction refers to an individual's subjective evaluation of their sexual experiences, and is influenced by relational, contextual, and personal experiences. Prior research with sexual satisfaction among trans individuals utilized quantitative measures, restricting the ability for respondents to describe trans-related aspects. Further, the pervasive focus on the effects of medical transition on binary trans individuals' experiences in prior research limits our understanding of those who do not desire a medical transition or live outside of the gender binary. Participants represented a community sample of 358 trans masculine and nonbinary individuals who responded to the question: "In what ways are you satisfied with your sex life?" Thematic analysis revealed eight overarching themes that represented two categories: universal and trans-related. Discussion focuses on the ways in which clinicians and researchers can utilize the current findings to improve the sexual satisfaction of trans masculine and nonbinary individuals.

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 apprehension is related to body appearance in sexual contexts. Methods: 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 (N = 656). Furthermore, we tested the mediating role of body image self-consciousness in these associations. Outcomes: Sexual functioning was measured through the Female Sexual Function Index. Results: The results highlight that vulnerable narcissistic traits are associated with lower sexual functioning, this association being mediated by higher levels of body image self-consciousness. Conversely, grandiose narcissistic traits are linked to lower body image self-consciousness and, consequently, higher levels of sexual functioning. Clinical Implications: Considering the link between body image self-consciousness and sexuality is of utmost importance in clinical practice with women, as well as in promoting positive body appreciation. Clinicians working with individuals presenting with pathological personality traits should consider including an assessment of their sexual functioning. S Pavanello Decaro, M Di Sarno, A Anzani, et al. Narcissistic Personality Traits and Sexual Dysfunction in Women: The Role of Body Image Self-Consciousness. J Sex Med 2021;18:1891–1898.