The potential of virtual reality technologies to support people with an autism condition: A case study of acceptance, presence and negative effects

There has been much potential and discussion about the application of virtual reality technologies (VRTs) using head-mounted displays (HMDs) for users with autism However, very few, if any studies, have yet to explore and investigate the acceptance, presence and ecological validity of these platforms. On the other hand, literature is well developed in areas such as virtual environments [18], virtual worlds [9], [19] and virtual reality [20], but few have considered the resurgence in head-mounted displays for autistic users. Many of the affordances associated with VEs and VWs may be applied HMDs and VRTs and so are also seen a potential opportunity for people with autism to tackle challenges faced on a daily basis. We present findings from a study conducted in the United States that worked with a HMD (Oculus Rift) and 29 participants with an autism condition. We ran the experiment in two phases. Phase I considered acceptance of this wearable technology; looking at issues of sensitivity. Phase II consider sense of presence, immersion, ecological validity and negative effects [16]. Concluding with pre- and post- anxiety measurements [17]. The paper will discuss the quantitative findings of the study

Access Grid Nodes in Field Research

This article reports fieldwork with an Access Grid Node ('AGN') device, analogous to video teleconferencing but based on grid computational technology. The device enables research respondents to be interviewed at remote sites, with potential savings in travelling to conduct fieldwork. Practical, methodological and analytic aspects of the experimental fieldwork are reported. Findings include some distinctive features of AGN interviews relative to co-present interviews; overall, there were some benefits and some disadvantages to communication. The article concludes that this new research interview mode shows potential, particularly once the difficulties associated with a new research technology are resolved.Social Research Methods, Interview Methods, New Technologies for Social Research, Access Grid Nodes, Interview Communication, Witnesses at Court

Inclusion and Equity Committee Diverse Recruitment Task Force 1 “Literature Review”

Engage in a literature review of current recruitment of underrepresented groups and from the literature review, recommend a series of policies that encapsulate best practices for use at the UNLV Libraries

CoachMotivation: Developing Transformational Leadership by Increasing Effective Communication Skills in the Workplace

Communication is an intrinsic part of the human experience and has been widely studied empirically and practically within organizations. It is the bedrock for many workplace behaviors and outcomes such as employee trust, engagement, job satisfaction, and transformational leadership. Nonetheless, effective communication continues to be a challenge for organizations across a variety of sectors. The current study examined whether a communications training, CoachMotivation (CM), increased perceived effective communication. CM is derived from clinical psychology skills for behavior change, namely, the Motivational Interviewing concepts of open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summary statements. This study also considered the Big Five personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism) as predictors of baseline perceived effective communication and whether personality predicted residual change in perceived effective communication after participating in CM training. Findings include: (a) CM training increased self-perceptions of effective communication on the total communication scale (N = 153; t [152] = -8.19, p \u3c.001, d =.66) as well as subscales of clarity (t [152] = -6.83, p \u3c.001, d =.55), responsiveness (t [152] = -6.56, p\u3c.001, d =.53), and comfort (t [152] = -7.13, p \u3c.001, d =.58); (b) Extraversion predicted perceived effective communication at baseline for the total communication scale and comfort scale (B = .19; SE = .06; p \u3c.001 and B = .14; SE = .03; p \u3c.001, respectively); (c) Openness predicted residual change in perceived effective communication on the total communication scale and comfort scale (B = .09; SE = .04; p = .043 and B = .06; SE = .03; p = .034, respectively). This research provides practical implications for using CM to enhance communication and lays the groundwork for further study of CM\u27s effects on more distal outcomes of communication as they relate to transformational leadership

Diagnosing Mental Health Disorders in Primary Care: Evaluation of a New Training Tool

abstract: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are highly prevalent illnesses that can result in profound impairment. While many patients with these disorders present in primary care, research suggests that physicians under-detect and suboptimally manage MDD and PTSD in their patients. The development of more effective training interventions to aid primary care providers in diagnosing mental health disorders is of the utmost importance. This research focuses on evaluating computer-based training tools (Avatars) for training family physicians to better diagnose MDD and PTSD. Three interventions are compared: a "choice" avatar simulation training program, a "fixed" avatar simulation training program, and a text-based training program for training physicians to improve their diagnostic interviewing skills in detecting and diagnosing MDD and PTSD. Two one-way ANCOVAs were used to analyze the differences between the groups on diagnostic accuracy while controlling for mental health experience. In order to assess specifically how prior mental health experience affected diagnostic accuracy the covariate of prior mental health experience was then used as an independent variable and simple main effects and pairwise comparisons were evaluated. Results indicated that for the MDD case both avatar treatment groups significantly outperformed the text-based treatment in diagnostic accuracy regardless of prior mental health experience. For the PTSD case those receiving the fixed avatar simulation training more accurately diagnosed PTSD than the text-based training group and the choice-avatar training group regardless of prior mental health experience. Confidence ratings indicated that the majority of participants were very confident with their diagnoses for both cases. Discussion focused on the utility of avatar technology in medical education. The findings in this study indicate that avatar technology aided the participants in diagnosing MDD and PTSD better than traditional text-based methods employed to train PCPs to diagnose. Regardless of experience level the fixed avatar group outperformed the other groups for both cases. Avatar technology used in diagnostic training can be user-friendly and cost-effective. It can also have a world-wide reach. Additional educational benefit could be provided by using automated text analysis to provide physicians with feedback based on the extent to which their case diagnostic summaries cover relevant content. In conclusion, avatar technology can offer robust training that could be potentially transferred to real environment performance.Dissertation/ThesisPh.D. Counseling Psychology 201

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO WORKED WITH THE HOMELESS POPULATION

Minimal research has been conducted to evaluate the effects COVID-19 has had on social service providers and their ability to deliver services to the homeless population during the pandemic. This research study seeks to focus on three areas that include: the mental health of the social service providers, the ability to adapt and provide services to the homeless population through telehealth, and the available resources social service providers were able to access to assist their clientele. To explore the impact of COVID-19 on social service providers who work with the homeless population, a qualitative cross-sectional research study was conducted through structured interviews. COVID-19 has brought unforeseen challenges for everyone but especially for social service providers who are trying to continue the provision of services to such a vulnerable population. Researchers hope to provide social work practice with a better understanding of how to support social service providers and people experiencing homelessness during an unforeseen crisis or pandemic

Effects of a Video Based Intervention on Job Interview Skills of Youth with Autism

In this dissertation, I conducted a multiple-probe-across-participants design to examine the impact of a video-based intervention on interview skills of youth with autism. First, I conducted a systematic literature review of interview interventions. Results were used to guide the development of this study’s measure and procedures. Finding that previous literature relied on rubric measures to rate interview skill behaviors, I developed and piloted a primary measure for examining direct speech production. Using transcripts and video analysis, this study captures the construct of interview skills using both quantity (frequency of relevant/irrelevant c-units) and quality (interview skills rubric score). The intervention consisted of direct instruction, video modeling, self-video modeling, self-reflection, and role play. I recruited four youths with autism and incorporated their career aspirations to individualize the intervention and provide greater incentive. Additionally, I recruited two local business owners in the participants chosen field (i.e., the food industry) to interview participants during the generalization session. Results demonstrate a functional relation between the introduction of the intervention package and increases in interview skills. The three participants who agreed to participate in the generalization interview maintained interview skills with local business owners. Results from this study add scientific knowledge on systematically scoring direct speech production and highlight the importance of individualizing interview interventions. I conclude by discussing future research and the implications of these findings for practice and policy

CoachMotivation: Leveraging Motivational Interviewing Methodology to Increase Emotion Regulation Ability in the Workplace

Emotions are complex, powerful states that both positively and negatively impact personal and professional human experiences. One’s ability to regulate their emotions has been related to desirable organizational outcomes such as (a) decreased counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs), stress, and negative emotions and (b) increased well-being, coping abilities, and job satisfaction. However, appropriate workplace interventions that increase perceived emotion regulation (PER) abilities continue to be limited. Stemming from Motivational Interviewing (MI), CoachMotivation (CM) is a modified form of organizational coaching that translates core practices of clinical MI interventions (i.e., OARS: open questions, affirmations, reflections, summary statements) into coaching conversations in the workplace. The current study examined if CM increased PER abilities and how Extraversion and Neuroticism (personality) traits affected baseline PER abilities. Results indicated the following: (a) CM training increased perceived abilities on a partial total emotion regulation (ER) scale (N = 148; t[147] = 8.98, p \u3c.001, d = .66) as well as subscales of positive reappraisal (t[147] = 10.32, p \u3c.001, d = .76) and refocus on planning (t[147] = 5.17, p \u3c.001, d = .42), (b) both Extraversion (b = -.17; p \u3c.001; R2 = .08) and Neuroticism (b = .15; p \u3c.05; R2 = .04) predicted partial total ER at baseline, and (c) after controlling for personality, the CM training accounted for changes in partial total ER (b = .57; p \u3c.001; R2 = .35), positive reappraisal (b = .50; p \u3c.001; R2 = .37), and refocus on planning (b = .50; p \u3c.001; R2 = .26) scales. Overall, this study supports future research on CM as a workplace intervention for increasing PER abilities

Vocational and Psychosocial Outcomes of Work Re-Integration Programs for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness: A Rapid Systematic Review

Indiana University Purdue University IndianapolisThere are an estimated 11.2 million adults in the United States with a serious mental illness and this population is 6-7 times more likely to be unemployed. A systematic review of the literature related to work re-integration programs for individuals with severe mental illness was conducted to determine the role of occupational therapy in this area of practice. This included a comprehensive review of 25 studies that addressed many of the interventions commonly used in vocational and supported employment programs for individuals with severe mental illness and related mental health disorders. Findings reveal that various types of work re-integration programs result in competitive work attainment, increased job tenure, improved quality of life, and improved psychosocial factors. Occupational therapy could facilitate interventions related to work re-integration that improve vocational and non-vocational outcomes for this population. The literature over work re-integration programs is limited and more research is needed in order to understand the correlation between those with SMI and employment outcomes.Occupational Therap