RT Article
T1 Virtual Reality Job Interview Training for Adults Receiving Prison-Based Employment Services: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility and Initial Effectiveness Trial
JF Criminal justice and behavior
VO 50
IS 2
SP 272
OP 293
A1 Smith, Matthew J.
A2 Parham, Brittani
A2 Mitchell, Jamie L.
A2 Blajeski, Shannon
A2 Harrington, Meghan
A2 Ross, Brittany
A2 Johnson, Jeffery
A2 Brydon, Daphne M.
A2 Johnson, Jennifer 1981-
A2 Cuddeback, Gary S.
A2 Smith, Justin D.
A2 Bell, Morris D.
A2 Mcgeorge, Robert
A2 Kaminski, Kyle
A2 Suganuma, Aaron
A2 Kubiak, Sheryl
LA English
YR 2023
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1831758393
AB Returning citizens struggle to obtain employment after release from prison and navigating job interviews is a critical barrier they encounter. Implementing evidence-based interview training is a major gap in prison-based vocational services. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the feasibility and initial effectiveness of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) within two prisons. Forty-four male returning citizens were randomized to receive service-as-usual (SAU) with VR-JIT (SAU + VR-JIT, n = 28) or SAU (n = 16). Participants reported VR-JIT was highly acceptable and usable. SAU + VR-JIT, compared with SAU, had significant improvements (with large effect sizes) in interview skills, interview training motivation, and interview anxiety (all p < .05; ηp2 > .15), and greater employment by 6-month follow-up (odds ratio [OR] = 7.4, p = .045). VR-JIT can potentially help fill a major gap in prison-based services. Future research is needed to validate VR-JIT effectiveness and evaluate VR-JIT implementation strategies within prisons.
K1 Vocational rehabilitation
K1 Employment
K1 smart decarceration
K1 job interviews
K1 Virtual Reality
DO 10.1177/00938548221081447