Jessica Pistella

Jessica Pistella is a Researcher (Ricercatore a Tempo Determinato Tipo B) at the Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome. She holds a PhD in Developmental and Social Psychology from Sapienza and is a systemic-relational-symbolic-experiential family psychotherapist. Her primary affiliation is with the 'Be as You Are' Clinical and Research Center, focusing on LGBTQ+ well-being.

Her research interests span parenting dynamics, family functioning, coming out processes, homophobic bullying, sexual stigma, and LGBTQ+ mental health. She has led and contributed to over 20 national and international research projects, including studies on nonbinary identities, LGBTQ+ inclusion in education, and minority stress.

Dr. Pistella teaches courses like 'Developmental Psychology for Inclusion' and has published extensively in journals such as Journal of Homosexuality, Sexuality Research and Social Policy, and Frontiers in Psychology. Her work emphasizes intersectional approaches to LGBTQ+ issues, with a focus on resilience and policy advocacy.

Key grants include the 2024 project on microaggressions in nonbinary populations (€40k) and the 2022 PRIN-funded study on LGBTQ+ university students' mental health (€210k). She actively reviews for 20+ journals and serves on editorial boards, including Gender, Sex and Sexuality Studies.

Her clinical work involves supervising cases at the '6 come sei' clinical service and co-facilitating the A.ge.d.o support group. She advocates for inclusive language and anti-discrimination policies in healthcare and education.