Metacognitive Self Control and Job Interview Training

October 29, 2025 updated by: Matthew Smith, University of Michigan

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.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Terminated

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

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 Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
21

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Michigan
      • Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109
        • University of Michigan

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

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

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: 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.
Behavioral: 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.
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.
Experimental: 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.
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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
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.
Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
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.
Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
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.
Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)
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).
Baseline and 9 Month Follow Up (9 Months after randomization)
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.
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)
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.
Baseline and posttest (approximately 8 weeks after baseline)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Recidivism
Time Frame: Baseline and throughout 9 Month Follow Up (9 Months after randomization)
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.
Baseline and throughout 9 Month Follow Up (9 Months after randomization)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Michigan

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 1, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 9, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 9, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 14, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 25, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 1, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 31, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 29, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • HUM00234352

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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