A new group-based online job interview training program using computer graphics robots for individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Yuichiro Yoshikawa; Taro Muramatsu; Kazuki Sakai; Hideyuki Haraguchi; Azusa Kudo; Hiroshi Ishiguro; Masaru Mimura; Hirokazu Kumazaki

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1198433

A new group-based online job interview training program using computer graphics robots for individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Front Psychiatry. 2023 Jul 3:14:1198433. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1198433. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Yuichiro Yoshikawa¹, Taro Muramatsu², Kazuki Sakai¹, Hideyuki Haraguchi³, Azusa Kudo⁴, Hiroshi Ishiguro¹, Masaru Mimura², Hirokazu Kumazaki^{2

3

4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
² Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
³ National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Preventive Intervention for Psychiatric Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, Tokyo, Japan.
⁴ Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
⁵ College of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan.

Abstract

Introduction: Job interviews are a major barrier to employment for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). During the coronavirus pandemic, establishing online job interview training at home was indispensable. However, many hurdles prevent individuals with ASD from concentrating on online job interview training. To facilitate the acquisition of interview skills from home for individuals with ASD, we developed a group interview training program with a virtual conferencing system (GIT-VICS Program) that uses computer graphics (CG) robots.

Methods: This study investigated the feasibility of the GIT-VICS Program in facilitating skill acquisition for face-to-face job interviews in pre-post measures. In the GIT-VICS Program, five participants were grouped and played the roles of interviewees (1), interviewers (2), and human resources (2). They alternately practiced each role in GIT-VICS Program sessions conducted over 8 or 9 days over three consecutive weeks. Before and after the GIT-VICS Program, the participants underwent a mock face-to-face job interview with two experienced human interviewers (MFH) to evaluate its effect.

Results: Fourteen participants completed the trial procedures without experiencing any technological challenges or distress that would have led to the termination of the session. The GIT-VICS Program improved their job interview skills (verbal competence, nonverbal competence, and interview performance).

Discussion: Given the promising results of this study and to draw clear conclusions about the efficacy of CG robots for mock online job interview training, future studies adding appropriate guidance for manner of job interview by experts are needed.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorders; computer graphics; interview skill; job interview; robot.