Simulated Job Interview Training for People with Psychiatric Disorders

描述（由申请人提供）：不活动和生产功能丧失通常伴有严重的精神障碍（例如，精神分裂症、其他精神障碍、情绪障碍、PTSD）。然而，调查（贝克尔，2002年）表明，超过75%的人与这些障碍希望返回到某种生产活动。然而，当他们试图重返工作岗位时，往往无法获得适当的就业机会。目前，有成人的职业计划，但没有一个允许这些人不断练习面试，以获得良好表现所需的技能，确定何时以及是否应该披露他们的残疾，以及如何回答有关他们个人历史的困难问题。SIMmersion LLC与Morris Bell博士合作，建议通过扩大基于计算机的交互式角色扮演培训模拟的第一阶段原型来解决这一问题，以提高精神残疾者的面试技巧。在工作面试中表现良好是获得有偿工作的第一步。允许个人在模拟环境中练习面试是一种低成本、容易获得的面试准备方式，可以减少焦虑，强调自己的就业优势，并谈判适当的工作条件，从而增加他们获得工作的可能性。为了评估该系统的有效性并衡量技能的提高，贝尔博士和应用行为研究有限责任公司将进行一项单盲随机临床试验（RCT），包括80名患有精神疾病的参与者。措施将包括一个基线和两个测量后的录像工作面试角色扮演。精神障碍患者的模拟工作面试培训预计将显着改善培训和希望重新进入劳动力市场的精神障碍成年人提供的方案的深度。我们完全期望这项SBIR赠款的结果包括增强患有精神疾病的成年人的面试技巧，并提高这一人群的就业率。 公共卫生相关性：改善精神残疾人的就业机会具有巨大的社会效益。它为客户提供金钱和心理上的好处，使他们重新融入主流社会。社会受益于重新获得那些否则可能被边缘化的人的生产潜力，受益于增加我国劳动力的多样性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Inactivity and loss of productive function commonly accompany severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, PTSD). Yet, surveys (Becker, 2002) indicate that more than 75% of people with these disorders wish to return to some kind of productive activity. However, when they attempt to return to work, they often have no access to appropriate employment. Presently, there are vocational programs for adults but none that allow these individuals to continually practice interviews in order to gain the skills necessary to perform well, determine when and if they should disclose their disability, and how to answer difficult questions regarding their personal histories. SIMmersion LLC, in cooperation with Dr. Morris Bell, proposes to address this issue by expanding the Phase I prototype of a computer-based, interactive, role-play training simulation to improve interviewing skills in individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Performing well in job interviews is the first step to obtaining paid employment. Allowing individuals to practice interviews in a simulated environment is a low-cost, easily accessible way for individuals to prepare for interviews by reducing anxiety, emphasizing their employment strengths, and negotiating appropriate working conditions, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will be able to obtain jobs they can keep. To evaluate the efficacy of the system and to measure skill increases, Dr. Bell and Applied Behavioral Research LLC will conduct a single-blind Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) with experimental and active control conditions, including eighty participants with psychiatric disorders. Measures will include a baseline and two post-measure videotaped job interview role-plays. Simulated Job Interview Training for People with Psychiatric Disorders is expected to significantly improve the training and the depth of programs available to adults with psychiatric disorders hoping to reenter the workforce. We fully expect the outcome of this SBIR grant to include enhanced interview skills among adults with psychiatric disorders and increased rates of employment among that population. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Improving access to employment for people with psychiatric disabilities is of great societal benefit. It provides clients with monetary and psychological benefits and reintegrates them into mainstream society. Society benefits from regaining the productive potential of people who may otherwise be marginalized and from increasing the diversity of our nation's workforce.