Simulated Job Interview Training for People with Psychiatric Disorders

描述(由申请人提供)：缺乏活动和丧失生产功能通常伴随严重的精神障碍(例如，精神分裂症、其他精神障碍、情绪障碍、创伤后应激障碍)。然而，调查(Becker，2002)表明，超过75%的患有这些疾病的人希望重返某种生产性活动。然而，当他们试图重返工作岗位时，他们往往无法获得适当的就业机会。目前，有针对成年人的职业计划，但没有一个允许这些人继续进行面试，以获得表现良好所需的技能，确定他们何时以及是否应该披露自己的残疾情况，以及如何回答有关个人历史的难题。SIMmersion LLC与莫里斯·贝尔博士合作，提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，以提高精神障碍患者的面谈技能。在面试中表现出色是获得带薪工作的第一步。允许个人在模拟环境中练习面试是一种低成本、容易获得的个人准备面试的方式，通过减少焦虑、强调他们的就业优势和谈判合适的工作条件，从而增加他们能够获得他们能够保留的工作的可能性。为了评估该系统的有效性和衡量技能的提高，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)，其中包括80名患有精神障碍的参与者。措施将包括一个基线和两个衡量后录像带的工作面试角色扮演。针对精神障碍患者的模拟面试培训预计将显著改善希望重新进入劳动力大军的精神障碍成年人可获得的培训和计划的深度。我们完全期待SBIR赠款的结果将包括提高患有精神障碍的成年人的面谈技能，并提高这些人口的就业率。 与公共卫生相关：改善精神病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，并让他们重新融入主流社会。社会受益于恢复那些本来可能被边缘化的人的生产潜力，并得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.