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Acceptability and Feasibility of Work-Oriented Social-Cognitive Skills Training for Veterans With Serious Mental Illness

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT05491538

PhaseNA

Enrollment20

SponsorVA Office of Research and Development

Age18 Years and older

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Stress Disorder, Post-Traumatic

About this study

Many individuals with serious mental illness have difficulty accurately interpreting interpersonal cues and effectively engaging in social exchanges. Difficulties related to the interpersonal aspects of work can lead to isolation, poor productivity, and job loss. The goals of this study are to: 1) adapt an evidence-based social cognitive skills intervention for work settings and use with Veterans, 2) examine the acceptability of the work focused skills training intervention, 3) assess the feasibility of combining the social cognitive skills training program with supported employment, and 4) examine change on functional outcomes. The current study will use feedback from veteran and employment specialist stakeholders to adapt an evidence-based social cognitive skills training program, Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT). The intervention will be modified to tailor it to work relationships and to address any unique relationship concerns among Veterans that are identified by stakeholders. SCIT-Work Edition (SCIT-WE) will add: 1) education about work-related social norms; 2) examples of work-related social interactions that require perspective taking and problem- solving; 3) individual sessions with the study therapist to enhance learning and relevance to each participant's goals; 4) structured interactions with the participant's employment specialist to practice skills outside of group; and 5) skill application sessions with the participant's employment specialist that prompt use of skills after training is completed. SCIT-WE will be developed and piloted in an open trial with 20 Veterans enrolled in the supported employment program at the Minneapolis VA who have a qualifying serious mental illness diagnosis. SCIT-WE will be offered for 2 hours weekly over 13 weeks, when most participants are in the job development and job search phases of supported employment. While participating in the group skills training, participants will have weekly, individual homework review sessions with the group facilitator to promote understanding of the skills and to discuss relevance of the skills to personal goals. Participants also will practice skills weekly with their employment specialist for 10-15 minutes to promote use of skills outside of group sessions. In the 3-months following skills training completion, participants will complete 10 15-minute skills review sessions with their employment specialist to encourage continued skill application in a work…

Interventions

Behavioral: Social Cognition and Interaction Training-Work Edition (SCIT-WE) — Participants will attend 1 2-hour skills training group weekly for 13 weeks after enrolling in supported employment. In addition to the group session, participants have a 15-30 minute individual session with the group facilitator weekly to review homework and complete a 10-15 minute exercise with their employment specialist each week to practice skills outside of group. The 13-week skills group is followed by 10 skills review/application sessions conducted during 10 supported employment sessions in the next 13 weeks.

Primary outcomes

Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report: Short Version (SAS-SR: Short) Change (Baseline and 3 months)
Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report: Short Version (SAS-SR: Short) Change (Baseline and 6 months)
Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL)-20 Change (Baseline and 3 months)
Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL)-20 Change (Baseline and 6 months)
Return to Work Self-Efficacy Scale (RTW-SE) Change (Baseline and 3 months)
Intrinsic Motivation Inventory - Interest subscale (3 months)
Intrinsic Motivation Inventory - Interest subscale (6 months)
Intrinsic Motivation Inventory - Value subscale (3 months)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Veterans who are outpatients and enrolled to receive supported services at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System * Veterans are eligible for this program if they are receiving services from a mental health team at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, are motivated to pursue employment, and are seeking employment within 30 miles of the medical center * Veterans will be eligible for the study if they have a DSM-5 diagnosis of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Exclusion Criteria: Study exclusion criteria are: * presence of a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury * presence of a cognitively compromising neurological disease * understanding of English that is not sufficient for comprehension of testing procedures * premorbid IQ less than 70 * behavior that prevents participation in a group intervention * hearing or visual impairment that prevents completion of intervention and testing procedures * clinical instability, defined as active suicidal ideation or hospitalization in the previous 4 weeks * current diagnosis of alcohol or substance use disorder, severe * current participation in another mental health intervention study * inability to commit to 7-9 months of study participation due to a planned move or unstable housing * inability to provide informed consent * presence of a guardian of person

Study locations

Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417-2309 United States

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-10-09.