Metacognitive Self Control and Job Interview Training

NCT ID: NCT05966831

Last Updated: 2025-10-31

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: TERMINATED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 21 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-08-01
• Study Completion Date: 2024-12-09

Brief Summary

The study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that assesses the effectiveness of a metacognitive self-control training intervention (MCT) in conjunction with virtual-reality job interview training (VR-JIT) in a sample of formerly incarcerated individuals. The study also includes an implementation evaluation.

Detailed Description

The goal is to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that assesses the effectiveness of a metacognitive self-control training intervention (MCT) in conjunction with virtual-reality job interview training (VR-JIT) in a sample of formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as complete an implementation evaluation. Participants will be recruited who who: 1) have previously been incarcerated (e.g., jail, prison), 2) have reentered society, 3) 18 years of age or older, 4) currently are a part of the A Brighter Way program. A Brighter Way is a local re-entry program in Ypsilanti, Michigan (MI) that focuses on helping formerly incarcerated individuals (living in Washtenaw county) build stable and successful lives. Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions where they either receive both MCT and VR-JIT interventions, or where they receive an Active-Control Activity and VR-JIT intervention (with an allocation ratio of 1:1). To assess the effectiveness of MCT, researchers plan to compare behavioral and self-report measures of self-control pre and post interventions, as well as assess employment and recidivism outcomes.

Conditions

Self-Control; Recidivism

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) + Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT)

This group will receive the MCT intervention plus the VR-JIT intervention. We are anticipating 6-8 weeks, with 1-3 sessions per week for each intervention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) was originally developed by the Michigan Skills Project for students in middle/high school. The MCT training intervention has been updated to be suitable for adults. MCT is a lecture style intervention that encompasses 13 modules (over the course of 4 weeks) on improving self-control that is to be delivered in a community setting. Across the training, participants will learn new "tools" for improving self-control.

Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

VR-JIT provides trainees with an opportunity to repeatedly practice interviewing for a job at fictional company 'Wondersmart'. Prior to interviewing, trainees review self-guided e-learning materials on how to find, prepare for, succeed in, and follow-up on job interviews that includes the review of 10 job interview skills. Trainees also complete an online job application for one of 14 jobs (e.g., cashier, clerical, customer service, food services, inventory, janitorial, web developer) that informs the virtual interview experience.

Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT)

This group will receive just the VR-JIT intervention. We are anticipating 6-8 weeks, with 1-3 sessions per week for this intervention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

VR-JIT provides trainees with an opportunity to repeatedly practice interviewing for a job at fictional company 'Wondersmart'. Prior to interviewing, trainees review self-guided e-learning materials on how to find, prepare for, succeed in, and follow-up on job interviews that includes the review of 10 job interview skills. Trainees also complete an online job application for one of 14 jobs (e.g., cashier, clerical, customer service, food services, inventory, janitorial, web developer) that informs the virtual interview experience.

Interventions

Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT)

Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) was originally developed by the Michigan Skills Project for students in middle/high school. The MCT training intervention has been updated to be suitable for adults. MCT is a lecture style intervention that encompasses 13 modules (over the course of 4 weeks) on improving self-control that is to be delivered in a community setting. Across the training, participants will learn new "tools" for improving self-control.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT)

VR-JIT provides trainees with an opportunity to repeatedly practice interviewing for a job at fictional company 'Wondersmart'. Prior to interviewing, trainees review self-guided e-learning materials on how to find, prepare for, succeed in, and follow-up on job interviews that includes the review of 10 job interview skills. Trainees also complete an online job application for one of 14 jobs (e.g., cashier, clerical, customer service, food services, inventory, janitorial, web developer) that informs the virtual interview experience.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 18 years or older
• Actively enrolled in A Brighter Way Program
• 3rd grade reading level or higher

Exclusion Criteria

• Has uncorrected hearing or visual problem that prevents them from using the training

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Michigan

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Matthew Smith

Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

HUM00234352

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id