Critical elements in the experience of virtual reality job interview training for unemployed individuals with serious mental illness: Implications for IPS supported employment.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) who re-enter the labor market after extended unemployment may benefit from exposure to job interview training. This study explored the processes and perceived benefits of preparing for interviews using Virtual Reality Job Interviewing Training (VR-JIT) among employment specialists (ESs) and clients within the individual placement and support (IPS) model of supported employment. METHOD: This study analyzed secondary qualitative data from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of VR-JIT including qualitative focus groups comprised of IPS employment specialists (n = 11) and IPS clients (n = 13), semistructured interviews with IPS employment specialists (n = 3), and semistructured interviews with IPS clients (n = 3). Additionally, semistructured interviews with IPS employment specialists (n = 8) who naturalistically implemented VR-JIT at four community mental health agencies independent of the RCT. All focus group and interview data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. RESULTS: Three main processes were viewed by employment specialists (and their clients) as beneficial for individuals with SMI receiving IPS with VR-JIT: (a) exposure to a simulated interview in a safe environment; (b) practicing and receiving job interviewing feedback; and (c) improved confidence and motivation in job seeking. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: VR-JIT improved IPS participants' confidence in job seeking through proposed mechanisms of exposure to a simulated job interview and repetition and practice of job interview skills. These critical elements indicate that VR-JIT has the potential to improve IPS client engagement particularly with those who have had prolonged periods of unemployment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Technology-Assisted, Group-Based CBT for Rural Adults' Depression: Open Pilot Trial Results.

Purpose: This pilot study assesses the association of Raising Our Spirits Together (ROST), a technology-assisted, group-based cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, with rural adults' depressive symptoms and anxiety. Method: Nine adults from rural Michigan participated in an open pilot of ROST. Clergy facilitated pilot groups. The pilot began in February 2020 in-person. Due to COVID-19, the pilot was completed virtually. Results: Mean depressive symptom scores, based on the PHQ-9, significantly decreased from pre-treatment (M = 14.4) to post-treatment (M = 6.33; t (8) = 6.79; P < .001). Symptom reduction was maintained at 3-month follow-up (M = 8.00), with a significant pattern of difference in depressive symptoms over time (F(2) = 17.7; P < .001; eta-squared = .689). Similar patterns occurred for anxiety based on the GAD-7. Participants attended an average of 7.33 of 8 sessions. Fidelity ratings were excellent. Discussion: ROST is a potentially feasible intervention for rural adults' depressive symptoms. ROST offers a promising model for increasing treatment access and building capacity in rural areas.

Enhancing vocational training in corrections: A type 1 hybrid randomized controlled trial protocol for evaluating virtual reality job interview training among returning citizens preparing for community re-entry.

The Michigan Department of Corrections operates the Vocational Villages, which are skilled trades training programs set within prisons that include an immersive educational community using virtual reality, robotics, and other technologies to develop employable trades. An enhancement to the Vocational Villages could be an evidence-based job interview training component. Recently, we conducted a series of randomized controlled trials funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality job interview training (VR-JIT). The results suggested that the use of VR-JIT was associated with improved job interview skills and a greater likelihood of receiving job offers within 6 months. The primary goal of this study is to report on the protocol we developed to evaluate the effectiveness of VR-JIT at improving interview skills, increasing job offers, and reducing recidivism when delivered within two Vocational Villages via a randomized controlled trial and process evaluation. Our aims are to: (1) evaluate whether services-as-usual in combination with VR-JIT, compared to services-as-usual alone, enhances employment outcomes and reduces recidivism among returning citizens enrolled in the Vocational Villages; (2) evaluate mechanisms of employment outcomes and explore mechanisms of recidivism; and (3) conduct a multilevel, mixed-method process evaluation of VR-JIT implementation to assess the adoptability, acceptability, scalability, feasibility, and implementation costs of VR-JIT.