Self-ControlNCT05966831
Metacognitive Self Control and Job Interview Training
A study testing Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) in people with Self-Control and Recidivism, run by University of Michigan at 1 site in United States.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Self-Control, Recidivism
- What is being tested?
- Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 21 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2023to 9 Dec 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 18 years or older
- Actively enrolled in A Brighter Way Program
- 3rd grade reading level or higher
Who cannot join
- Has uncorrected hearing or visual problem that prevents them from using the training
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: A Randomized Effectiveness Trial of Metacognitive Self Control and Job Interview Training
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.
Read the 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
- Being tested
- Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT), Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT)
- Keywords
- employment
- Medical subject headings
- Self-Control, Recidivism
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT)Behavioural
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)Behavioural
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) + Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) | Experimental | 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. Receives: Behavioral: Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT); Behavioral: Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) |
| Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) | Experimental | This group will receive just the VR-JIT intervention. We are anticipating 6-8 weeks, with 1-3 sessions per week for this intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Self-Control Measured by Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS)
The measure is a Likert Scale style questionnaire. 13 items are scored from 1 (not at all) to 5 (Very much). The total score is calculated from adding all items together and higher scores indicate higher levels of self-control.
Measured: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
Change in Self-Control Measured by Barratt Impulsiveness Scale
The measure is a Likert Scale style questionnaire. 30 items are scored from 1 (Rarely/Never) to 4 (Almost Always/Always). The total score is calculated from adding all items together and range from 30 to 120; higher scores indicate higher levels of impulsiveness.
Measured: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
Change in Self-Control Measured by Short Form Self-Regulation Questionnaire
The measure is a Likert Scale style questionnaire. 31 items are scored from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). The total score is calculated from adding all items together. Higher scores indicate higher self-regulation capacity.
Measured: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
Change in Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptomology measured by ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) is an instrument consisting of the eighteen Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV TR) criteria. Six of the eighteen questions were found to be the most predictive of symptoms consistent with ADHD. These six questions are the basis for the ASRS v1.1 Screener and are also Part A of the Symptom Checklist. Part B of the Symptom Checklist contains the remaining twelve questions. All questions utilize a Likert scale from Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, to Very Often.
Measured: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
Change in Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptomology measured by the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-RV) for The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
The Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-RV) for DSM-5 for Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder measures ADHD symptomology. The module is made up of 5 major criteria with items in each criteria using a 3 point Likert scale ranging from 1 "absent or False" to 3 "threshold or true". This module uses a dichotomous scoring method that indexes whether a symptom is present or not. Only responses of "threshold or true" are coded as symptom present, while responses of "subthreshold" or "absent or false" are coded as symptom absent, so each individual will have a score of symptom absent = 0, and symptom present = 1 for criteria A through E.
Measured: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
Change in Employment Outcome
Employment survey indicating that participants are either employed (1) or unemployed (0).
Measured: Baseline and 9 Month Follow Up (9 Months after randomization)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Recidivism
Researchers will track if a participant becomes re-incarcerated throughout the entire study. This will be marked as Yes (1) or No (0) in our database tracking.
Measured: Baseline and throughout 9 Month Follow Up (9 Months after randomization)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Aug 2023
- Study start1 Aug 2023
- Primary completion9 Dec 2024
- Study completion9 Dec 2024
Why it stopped: Could not meet enrollment for analysis
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Self-ControlStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of MichiganThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Model description
- Group 1 will receive two interventions: Metacognitive Self-Control Training plus Virtual Reality Job Interview Training. Group 2 will receive one intervention: Virtual Reality Job Interview Training
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 21 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Michigan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Matthew Smith, University of Michigan
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05966831
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HUM00234352
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 14 Jul 2023
- Last updated
- 31 Oct 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Oct 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomized Effectiveness Trial of Metacognitive Self Control and Job Interview Training
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05966831
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HUM00234352
- Conditions
- Self-Control, Recidivism
- Keywords
- employment
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- TerminatedReason stopped: Could not meet enrollment for analysis
- Enrolment
- 21 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of MichiganUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 9 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 9 Dec 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 1 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Group 1 will receive two interventions: Metacognitive Self-Control Training plus Virtual Reality Job Interview Training. Group 2 will receive one intervention: Virtual Reality Job Interview Training
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) + Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) | Experimental | Behavioral: Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT), Behavioral: 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. |
| Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) | Experimental | Behavioral: 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 18 years or older
- Actively enrolled in A Brighter Way Program
- 3rd grade reading level or higher
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Has uncorrected hearing or visual problem that prevents them from using the training
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Behavioural | Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) + Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) |
| 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. | Behavioural | Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) + Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT), Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) |
Primary outcome
Change in Self-Control Measured by Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS)
Time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
The measure is a Likert Scale style questionnaire. 13 items are scored from 1 (not at all) to 5 (Very much). The total score is calculated from adding all items together and higher scores indicate higher levels of self-control.
Change in Self-Control Measured by Barratt Impulsiveness Scale
Time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
The measure is a Likert Scale style questionnaire. 30 items are scored from 1 (Rarely/Never) to 4 (Almost Always/Always). The total score is calculated from adding all items together and range from 30 to 120; higher scores indicate higher levels of impulsiveness.
Change in Self-Control Measured by Short Form Self-Regulation Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
The measure is a Likert Scale style questionnaire. 31 items are scored from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). The total score is calculated from adding all items together. Higher scores indicate higher self-regulation capacity.
Change in Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptomology measured by ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)
Time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) is an instrument consisting of the eighteen Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV TR) criteria. Six of the eighteen questions were found to be the most predictive of symptoms consistent with ADHD. These six questions are the basis for the ASRS v1.1 Screener and are also Part A of the Symptom Checklist. Part B of the Symptom Checklist contains the remaining twelve questions. All questions utilize a Likert scale from Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, to Very Often.
Change in Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptomology measured by the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-RV) for The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
Time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
The Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-RV) for DSM-5 for Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder measures ADHD symptomology. The module is made up of 5 major criteria with items in each criteria using a 3 point Likert scale ranging from 1 "absent or False" to 3 "threshold or true". This module uses a dichotomous scoring method that indexes whether a symptom is present or not. Only responses of "threshold or true" are coded as symptom present, while responses of "subthreshold" or "absent or false" are coded as symptom absent, so each individual will have a score of symptom absent = 0, and symptom present = 1 for criteria A through E.
Change in Employment Outcome
Time frame: Baseline and 9 Month Follow Up (9 Months after randomization)
Employment survey indicating that participants are either employed (1) or unemployed (0).
1 secondary outcome
Change in Recidivism
Time frame: Baseline and throughout 9 Month Follow Up (9 Months after randomization)
Results and safety
The study was stopped early (reason given: Could not meet enrollment for analysis). Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Oct 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) in people with Self-Control and Recidivism, run by University of Michigan at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Oct 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study was stopped early (reason given: Could not meet enrollment for analysis). Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Self-Control Measured by Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) (time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Oct 2025.