IJobs - an Internet Intervention for the Unemployed

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Unemployment
• Interventions: Behavioral: iJobs

• Registration Number: NCT05962554
• Lead Sponsor: West University of Timisoara

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-06-06
• Study First Submitted: 2023-06-19
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-07-24
• Study First Posted: 2023-07-27
• Primary Completion: 2024-10-02
• Status Verified: 2024-11
• Study Completion: 2024-11-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-26
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 176

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention group	iJobs	The group that will be first randomly allocated to iJobs.
Waiting list control group	iJobs	This group will receive the intervention 2-weeks after the intervention group finishes it.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Participants' self-efficacy regarding the job search process	Change from baseline to post-intervention and follow-up (approximately 2 weeks and 6 weeks)	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).
Participants' job search intensity and effort	Change from baseline to post-intervention and follow-up (approximately 2 weeks and 6 weeks)	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).
The quality of participants' job search behaviors	Change from baseline to post-intervention and follow-up (approximately 2 weeks and 6 weeks)	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).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Participants' anxiety regarding their future career	Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks)	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).
Participants' psychological capital	Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks)	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.
Participants' ability to deal with setbacks in the job search process	Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks)	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).
Participants' overall self-esteem	Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks)	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.
Generalised Anxiety symptoms	Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks)	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).
Depression symptoms	Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks)	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).
Participants' mental health complaints	Change from baseline to post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks)	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.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

West University of Timisoara; 🇷🇴 Timişoara, Romania