AC
Abigail Caselli
  • Psychology
  • Class of 2017
  • Woodbury, CT

Eastern Student Abigail Caselli of Woodbury Presents at Northeast COPLAC Conference

2016 Oct 27

Twelve students from Eastern Connecticut State University presented their research and creative activity at the Northeast Regional Research Conference of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) on Oct. 21-22. Hosted by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), eight colleges in the COPLAC consortium participated in the undergraduate conference.

Abigail Caselli '17, a Psychology major from Woodbury, delivered a oral presentation titled "Gender, Gender Role Beliefs, and Attitudes about Casual Sex in Relation to Condom Advocacy." Caselli was mentored by Psychology Professors Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault and Carlos Escoto.

"Several studies have examined condom advocacy in relation to sexually transmitted infections; however, few researchers have explored condom advocacy in relation to gender role beliefs," said Caselli. "A sample of students from a Northeastern university completed a series of self-reported measures. Two hierarchical linear regression models were evaluated to examine whether gender moderates relationships between gender roles and condom advocacy, and gender roles and attitudes toward casual sex. Gender was a significant predictor of advocacy for condom use, with men more likely to advocate for condom use than women. In addition, gender role beliefs were a significant predictor, with more traditional gender role beliefs predicting less condom advocacy. In the second model, gender and traditional gender roles were not significant predictors of attitudes towards casual sex. Overall, the findings from this research can help to identify at-risk individuals who do not advocate for condom use."

"We are here to showcase and celebrate the talent, insight, collaborative spirit and inquiry of students from our COPLAC campuses in the Northeast and to recognize the support and guidance they receive from their dedicated faculty," said MCLA President James Birge.

"Undergraduate research is one of the best aspects of an Eastern liberal arts education," said Carmen Cid, dean of Eastern's School of Arts and Sciences. "It provides our students the ability to develop their talents in a meaningful and successful career path. Those who present at COPLAC represent the leaders of tomorrow for Connecticut."

Established in 1987, COPLAC is dedicated to the advancement of high-quality liberal arts education in a public college setting. COPLAC represents a distinguished sector in higher education consisting of 30 colleges and universities in 28 states and one Canadian province. Eastern is Connecticut's designated public liberal arts university and joined COPLAC in 2004.