iJobs - an Internet Intervention for the Unemployed

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The current study aims to test the efficacy of iJobs, an online intervention for the unemployed. iJobs is an online adaptation of the JOBS program.

Detailed Description
-----------------
The current study is a two-arm randomized controlled trial that will test the efficacy of iJobs (a web-based adaptation of the JOBS program) against a waiting list control group. Participants from the control group will be enrolled in iJobs 2 weeks after the experimental group finishes the program. iJobs is a 2-week intervention consisting of 5 modules focusing on discovering job skills, job search strategies, preparing effective resumes, exercising different types of interviews, and overcoming setbacks in the job search process. iJobs was previously tested in a feasibility and acceptability trial.

Official Title
-----------------
iJobs - an Internet Intervention for the Unemployed: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
-----------------
Unemployment

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: iJobs


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Unemployed and looking for a job Work as volunteers and are looking for a paid job Have a PC or laptop and basic digital competencies Exclusion Criteria: They don't have internet access and are not available during the two weeks of the program

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: The two independent groups (intervention vs. waiting list control group) will be crossed with three measurement times (i.e., baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up). Hence, the design will be a 2 (intervention vs. control) X 3 (baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up) factorial design.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention group<br>The group that will be first randomly allocated to iJobs. | Behavioral: iJobs<br>* iJobs is a 2-week intervention consisting of 5 modules focusing on discovering job skills, job search strategies, preparing effective resumes, exercising different types of interviews, and overcoming setbacks in the job search process. This is an adaptation of the JOBS program.<br>|
| Experimental: Waiting list control group<br>This group will receive the intervention 2-weeks after the intervention group finishes it. | Behavioral: iJobs<br>* iJobs is a 2-week intervention consisting of 5 modules focusing on discovering job skills, job search strategies, preparing effective resumes, exercising different types of interviews, and overcoming setbacks in the job search process. This is an adaptation of the JOBS program.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Participants' self-efficacy regarding the job search process | The Job Search Self-Efficacy Scale (20-item) measures participants' perception of their ability to gain employment. The minimum score is 20 and the maximum is 100. A higher score means a better outcome (increased job search self-efficacy). | Change from baseline to post-intervention and follow-up (approximately 2 weeks and 6 weeks) | 
| Participants' job search intensity and effort | The investigators will use a version of Blau's Job-search behaviors scale adapted to the contemporary context and Romanian population. The scale measures participants' involvement in job search activities in terms of frequency and intensity. The minimum score is 16 and the maximum is 80. A higher score means a better outcome (increased job search behavior effort). | Change from baseline to post-intervention and follow-up (approximately 2 weeks and 6 weeks) | 
| The quality of participants' job search behaviors | The Job search quality scale has 20 items and measures the quality in which the job search behaviors are performed. The minimum score is 20 and the maximum is 100. A higher score means a better outcome (increased job search quality). | Change from baseline to post-intervention and follow-up (approximately 2 weeks and 6 weeks) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Participants' ability to deal with setbacks in the job search process | Inoculation against setbacks (i.e., participants' ability to deal with setbacks) will be measured using 2 items retrieved from previous studies. The minimum score is 2 and the maximum is 10. A higher score means a better outcome (presence of inoculation against setbacks). | Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks) | 
| Participants' overall self-esteem | Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale measures global self-worth by measuring both positive and negative feelings about the self using 10 items. The minimum score of Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale is 10 and the highest one is 40. A higher score means a better outcome. | Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks) | 
| Participants' anxiety regarding their future career | The investigators will measure participants' anxiety regarding their future career with the Future Career Anxiety Scale. The minimum score is 5 and the maximum is 25. A higher score means a worse outcome (increased anxiety). | Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks) | 
| Generalised Anxiety symptoms | The investigators will measure participants' anxiety symptoms using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment. This is a 7-item instrument that uses the DSM-V criteria to assess anxiety symptom severity. The minimum score is 0 and the highest one is 21. A higher score means a worse outcome (a higher level of anxiety). | Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks) | 
| Depression symptoms | The investigators will measure participants' depression symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The scale measures participants' severity of depression using DSM IV criteria. The minimum score is 0 and the highest one is 27. A higher score means a worse outcome (more severe symptoms of depression). | Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks) | 
| Participants' mental health complaints | The investigators will measure participants' mental health complaints with the Mental Health Complaints Scale. This is a 5-item instrument that will be used to assess mental health complaints. The minimum score is 6 and the highest is 30. A higher score means a worse outcome. | Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks) | 
| Participants' psychological capital | The investigators will measure participants' psychological capital with the 12-item Compound PsyCap Scale. The minimum score is 12 and the highest is 72. A higher score means a better outcome. | Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks) | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
iJobs