This is a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the community-based effectiveness of virtual reality job interview training (VR-JIT). Northwestern University is partnering with Thresholds Inc. to evaluate the effectiveness of VR-JIT at improving interviewing skills and access to employment. In addition, we will evaluate the cost effectiveness of VR-JIT and the process for implementing VR-JIT at Thresholds.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
168
Job interview training using virtual reality software created by SIMmersion, Inc, in addition to standard supported employment services.
Standard supported employment services.
Thresholds Bridge South
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Thresholds Ogden
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Thresholds Bridge Southwest
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Thresholds Bridge West
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Employment Rates
Employment rates at 9-month follow-up visit measured with questionnaire.
Time frame: 9 month Follow-Up from Randomization Date
Time to Employment
We evaluated the number of days between randomization and obtaining employment using a questionnaire administered over phone interviews with the subject and also verifying with Supported Employment (IPS) tracking system.
Time frame: 9 month Follow-Up from Randomization Date
Job Interview Skills
Interviewing skills will be measured using a role-play measure in which subjects act out two job interview scenarios with trained actors. Interviews will be video recorded and scored. An average of the two scenarios at baseline was used to create a single pretest score and an average of the two scenarios at posttest was used to create a single posttest score. The method of assessment is the job interview skills rating scale as measured by the Mock Interview Rating Scale. Possible scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating better interview skills.
Time frame: Pretest (Baseline) and Posttest (approximately 3 months after Baseline)
Interview Self-Confidence
Self-reported interview self-confidence. Participants self-reported their confidence in interview skills at pretest and posttest by using a nine-item survey, with items rated on a 7-point scale (1, extremely unskilled, to 7, extremely skilled); total scores were computed across all items. The minimum score is 9 and the maximum score would be 63. Higher scores indicate higher self-confidence in interview skills.
Time frame: Pretest (Baseline) and Posttest (approximately 3 months after Baseline)
Interview Anxiety
Self-reported measure of interviewing anxiety completed at pretest and posttest. Participants rated their interview anxiety with an adapted version of the 34-item Personal Report of Public Speaking Apprehension (PRSPA); the phrase "publics peaking" was replaced with "job interviewing." Items were coded from 1, strongly disagree, to 5, strongly agree. Total scores were computed by using the PRSPA's validated two-step total score procedure with the minimum score being 34 and maximum score being 170. Higher scores indicate higher interview anxiety.
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Time frame: Pretest (Baseline) and Posttest (approximately 3 months after Baseline)
Social Competence
Measured by Social Skills Performance Assessment (SSPA). Roleplay performance: The SSPA includes two brief (3-minute) roleplays in which participants engage in a conversation with an unknown confederate who plays the role of a new neighbor(NN) or a landlord (LL). The NN and LL role plays were video recorded at the pre- and posttest visits and were blindly rated by use of an anchoring system. The NN roleplay was scored on eight items via a 5-point scale (e.g., 5,very interested, to 1, very disinterested), and the LL roleplay was scored on nine items via a 5-point scale (e.g., 5,very focused, to 1, very unfocused). The two role-play scores were combined to create one total pretest score and one total posttest score. Sum scores could have a minimum of 17 and maximum of 85. Higher scores indicated better skills.
Time frame: Pretest (Baseline) and Posttest (approximately 3 months after Baseline)
Psychological Distress - Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) consists of 18 items and uses a seven-item Likert scale with 1 = "not present", and 7 = "extremely severe". Sum scores can range from 18 to 126. Higher scores indicate more symptoms.
Time frame: Pretest (Baseline) and 6 Month Follow Up from Randomization Date