Graduation Year
2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Degree Granting Department
Community and Family Health
Major Professor
Kwang-Sun Cho Blair, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Kimberly Crosland, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Catia Cividini-Motta, Ph.D.
Keywords
behavior skills training, interview skills, school-based intervention, virtual reality
Abstract
Individuals with disabilities experience lower employment rates compared to the general population, highlighting the need for interventions to enhance their employability. Interview skills are the most crucial skills to develop. Researchers have used behavioral skills training (BST) to improve vocal and non-vocal aspects of interviewee behavior. Additionally, virtual reality (VR) has been used to simulate the interview process and promote generalization of skills across various environments. However, limited research has investigated the use of VR for vocational skills training in students with disabilities, particularly those still enrolled in high school. This study aimed to examine the use of VR combined with BST to improve interview skills for high school students with disabilities. Three students with disabilities in grades 9-10, receiving special education services under the category of emotional disturbance, autism spectrum disorder, or other health impairment at a public high school, participated in the study. A multiple baseline design across students was used to evaluate the impact of the intervention on their interview skills. The results showed that the VR with BST led to increased interview skills for all three students. The students’ improved skills maintained throughout subsequent VR sessions without BST and also generalized to interviews with school staff.
Scholar Commons Citation
DuBois, Garrit, "Improving Interview Skills through Virtual Reality with Behavior Skills Training for Students with Disabilities" (2023). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10032
