Absence of conflict of interest.
Citation
Highlights
- The study's objective was to examine the impact of Virtual Interview Training for Transition-Age Youth (VIT-TAY) on employment outcomes.
- The study was a randomized controlled trial. Assessment data were collected at two pre-test visits, one post-test visit, and a six-month follow up. The authors used a statistical model to compare the outcomes of the treatment and control group members.
- The study found that VIT-TAY participants were significantly more likely to find employment than the control group.
- This study receives a high evidence rating. This means we are confident that the estimated effects are attributable to Virtual Interview Training for Transition-Age Youth (VIT-TAY), and not to other factors.
Intervention Examined
Virtual Interview Training for Transition Age Youth (VIT-TAY)
Features of the Intervention
The intervention is an adapted version of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training, a program that helped adults with disabilities practice interviewing skills. VIT-TAY adapted the program with community support to address the needs of transition age youth with autism who receive pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS). VIT-TAY is delivered via the internet and adapts to individual needs to maximize independent learning. The program simulated job interviews to help decrease interview anxiety. The virtual interviews have difficulty levels that progress from easy to hard. Depending on the difficulty level, each interview targets three to four different interview skills. VIT-TAY served individuals ages 16-26 with autism who were enrolled in a partnering high school.
Features of the Study
The study was a randomized controlled trial at five high schools (three public, one private, and one charter school) in Michigan and Ohio. Eligibility requirements included having at least a 3rd grade reading ability and consenting to video recordings. Of the 71 eligible participants, 48 were randomly assigned to the VIT-TAY group and 23 were randomly assigned to the control group. The VIT-TAY group was primarily male (66%), over half were White (54%), with an average age of 19.8 years. The control group was predominantly male (87%), over half were White (57%), with an average age of 19.4 years. Participants in the VIT-TAY group were provided materials on how to find job openings, how to prepare for, succeed in, and follow up with job interviews, and completed a job application that was used in the virtual interview. Control group participants received standard pre-employment transition services. The study participants completed mock interviews prior to the start of the study. Data sources included assessments completed by participants or their teachers/parents with questions about employment history, depressive symptoms, cognitive ability, behavioral challenges, the mock job interview, and their experience doing the interview. Data were collected at two pre-test visits, one post-test visit, and a six-month follow up. The authors used statistical models to compare the outcomes of the treatment and control group members.
Findings
Employment
- The study found that VIT-TAY participants were significantly more likely to be employed 6 months after the program than the control group.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
Although the study is a well-implemented randomized controlled trial, the study findings might not be applicable to other populations due to the small sample size (48 participants in the treatment group).
Causal Evidence Rating
The quality of causal evidence presented in this report is high because it was based on a well-implemented randomized controlled trial. This means we are confident that the estimated effects are attributable to VIT-TAY, and not to other factors.