Study protocol: A multisite trial of Work-Related Cognitive behavioral therapy for unemployed persons with social anxiety

Joseph A Himle; Richard T LeBeau; Addie Weaver; Daphne M Brydon; Deborah Bybee; Amy M Kilbourne; Raphael D Rose; Katherine M Tucker; Richard Kim; Marcelina Perez; Fonda N Smith; Brandy R Sinco; Scott Levine; Nicole Hamameh; Zipora Golenberg; Monique McKiver; Paul T Wierzbicki; Anni M Hasratian; Michelle G Craske

doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100464

Study protocol: A multisite trial of Work-Related Cognitive behavioral therapy for unemployed persons with social anxiety

Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2019 Oct 15:16:100464. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100464. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Authors

Joseph A Himle^{1

2}, Richard T LeBeau³, Addie Weaver¹, Daphne M Brydon⁴, Deborah Bybee⁵, Amy M Kilbourne^{2

6}, Raphael D Rose³, Katherine M Tucker¹, Richard Kim³, Marcelina Perez³, Fonda N Smith¹, Brandy R Sinco¹, Scott Levine⁷, Nicole Hamameh⁸, Zipora Golenberg⁸, Monique McKiver⁷, Paul T Wierzbicki⁸, Anni M Hasratian⁹, Michelle G Craske³

Affiliations

¹ School of Social Work, University of Michigan, USA.
² Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Michigan, USA.
³ Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, USA.
⁴ Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, USA.
⁵ Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, USA.
⁶ Department of Learning Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Michgan, USA.
⁷ JVS SoCal (JVS), Los Angeles, USA.
⁸ JVS Human Services (JVS), Detroit, USA.
⁹ Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, USA.

Abstract

This paper provides a methodological description of a multi-site, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for enhancing employment success among unemployed persons whose employment efforts have been undermined by social anxiety disorder (SAD). SAD is a common and impairing condition, with negative impacts on occupational functioning. In response to these documented employment-related impairments, in a previous project, we produced and tested an eight-session work-related group cognitive-behavioral therapy provided alongside vocational services as usual (WCBT + VSAU). WCBT is delivered by vocational service professionals and is designed in a context and style that overcomes accessibility and stigma-related obstacles with special focus on employment-related targets. Our previous project found that WCBT + VSAU significantly improved social anxiety, depression, and a range of employment-related outcomes compared to a control group of socially anxious job-seekers who received vocational services as usual without WCBT (VSAU-alone). Participants in this study were all homeless, primarily African American job-seekers with high levels of psychiatric comorbidity and limited education and employment histories. The present, two-region study addresses whether WCBT + VSAU enhances job placement, job retention and mental health outcomes in a larger sample assessed over an extended follow-up period. In addition, this trial evaluates whether the effects of WCBT + VSAU generalize to a new population of urban-based, racially diverse job-seekers with vocational and educational histories that differ from our original sample. This study also investigates the system-effects of WCBT + VSAU in a new site that will be informative for broad implementation of WCBT + VSAU. Finally, this project involves a refined, technology-assisted form of WCBT + VSAU designed to be delivered more easily by vocational services professionals.

Keywords: Cognitive-behavioral therapy; Minorities; Social anxiety; Unemployment.

Abstract

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