Virtual reality job interview training for individuals with psychiatric disabilities

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2014 Sep;202(9):659-67. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000000187.

Abstract

Services are available to help support existing employment for individuals with psychiatric disabilities; however, there is a gap in services targeting job interview skills that can help obtain employment. We assessed the feasibility and efficacy of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized to VR-JIT (n = 25) or treatment-as-usual (TAU) (n = 12) groups. VR-JIT consisted of 10 hours of simulated job interviews with a virtual character and didactic online training. The participants attended 95% of laboratory-based training sessions and found VR-JIT easy to use and felt prepared for future interviews. The VR-JIT group improved their job interview role-play performance (p ≤ 0.05) and self-confidence (p ≤ 0.05) between baseline and follow-up as compared with the TAU group. VR-JIT performance scores increased over time (R = 0.65). VR-JIT demonstrated initial feasibility and efficacy at improving job interview skills and self-confidence. Future research may help clarify whether this intervention is efficacious in community-based settings.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Behavior Therapy / methods
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic / methods*
  • Job Application*
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Middle Aged
  • Rehabilitation, Vocational / methods*
  • Role Playing
  • Self Concept
  • User-Computer Interface*