Vocational Counseling for Unemployment

Not yet recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Brian J Stevenson, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: Retirement plans, Full-time student, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new approach to help Veterans with mental health or substance use conditions find and maintain quality jobs. It combines a new career counseling program, Purposeful Pathways, with an existing work program. The goal is to determine if this combination improves job success, quality of life, and reduces mental health and substance use issues. Veterans who are unemployed, interested in working within the next three years, and have a mental health or substance use condition may be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides Veterans with a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance their job prospects and overall well-being.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on vocational counseling and does not mention medication changes.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that Purposeful Pathways, a counseling program for veterans, is generally well-received. Previous studies found that it includes weekly sessions to support career development, particularly for those facing mental health or substance use challenges. So far, no major reports of negative effects from these sessions have emerged.

The trial aims to determine if adding Purposeful Pathways to regular job training programs improves employment outcomes, quality of life, and reduces mental health symptoms. It is important to note that the trial is in an early stage, indicating that more research is needed to fully confirm its safety and effectiveness. However, current evidence suggests that the program is safe and could be a valuable addition to existing treatments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Purposeful Pathways intervention because it adds a new layer to the traditional transitional work programs by focusing on personal development and career planning. Unlike standard approaches that typically concentrate on immediate job placement, Purposeful Pathways aims to create a more sustainable employment outcome by helping participants discover meaningful career paths that align with their skills and interests. This holistic approach not only addresses the immediate need for employment but also supports long-term job satisfaction and stability, which could lead to reduced unemployment rates over time.

What evidence suggests that Purposeful Pathways could be effective for improving occupational functioning in Veterans?

Research has shown that the Purposeful Pathways program, which participants in one arm of this trial will receive, can assist veterans with mental health and substance use issues in finding meaningful work. Studies have found that this program supports career growth, leading to better job opportunities. Veterans using Purposeful Pathways have reported higher job satisfaction and an improved quality of life. Additionally, this program has reduced mental health symptoms and substance use among participants. Overall, early findings suggest that adding Purposeful Pathways to traditional work programs, which participants in the other arm will receive, could enhance job success and well-being for veterans. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Brian J Stevenson, PhD

Principal Investigator

VA Bedford HealthCare System, Bedford, MA

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Veterans with mental health and substance use disorders who are unemployed. It's designed to help them find quality jobs and improve their lives. Participants must be enrolled in a Transitional Work program at specific VA locations.

Inclusion Criteria

I am willing to attend weekly job counseling sessions.

I am 18 years old or older.

I plan to return to work within the next three years.

Exclusion Criteria

Enrolled in Supported Employment

Currently retired

Report a plan to remain unemployed during the upcoming 12 months

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the Purposeful Pathways intervention alongside Transitional Work for 12 weeks

12 weeks

Sessions provided in person or through VHA telehealth services

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for occupational functioning, quality of life, mental health symptoms, and substance use

12 months

Outcome Assessment

Final assessments of career adaptability, competitive employment, and other secondary outcomes

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Purposeful Pathways

Trial Overview The study compares two approaches: 'Purposeful Pathways' vocational counseling added to the standard 'Transitional Work' (TW) program versus TW alone. The goal is to see if adding Purposeful Pathways helps Veterans get better jobs, enhances life quality, reduces mental health issues, and lessens substance use.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Purposeful Pathways Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants in this arm will receive treatment as usual, which is the transitional work intervention, as well as the Purposeful Pathways intervention

Group II: Treatment as usual Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive treatment as usual, which is the transitional work intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

VA Hines Health Care

Collaborator

North Texas Veterans Healthcare System

Collaborator

Trials

39

Recruited

4,005,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11823284/

Purposeful Pathways: An Integrative Career Development ... This paper introduces a novel intervention that supports career development of veterans with mental health and substance use concerns: Purposeful Pathways.

2. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e47986/PDF

Feasibility of a Career Development Intervention for Veterans in ... acceptability data for the Purposeful Pathways intervention, a manualized intervention to assist veterans in aspiring and pursuing meaningful employment ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04698967

Improving Vocational Outcomes of Veterans With Psychiatric ... This procedure will result in 25 participants per condition which is in line with previous recommendations of a minimum of 15 subjects per condition. Subjects ...

4. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/08948453241313192

Purposeful Pathways: An Integrative Career Development ... This paper introduces a novel intervention that supports career development of veterans with mental health and substance use concerns: ...

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/387829698_Purposeful_Pathways_An_Integrative_Career_Development_Intervention_for_Vocational_Mental_Health_and_Substance_Use_Recovery

Purposeful Pathways: An Integrative Career Development ... This paper introduces a novel intervention that supports career development of veterans with mental health and substance use concerns: Purposeful Pathways.

6. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e47986/

Feasibility of a Career Development Intervention for ... Purposeful Pathways is an individual counseling protocol delivered weekly for up to 12 sessions (50 minutes per session). The intervention is ...

7. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40029607/

Purposeful Pathways: An Integrative Career Development ... This paper introduces a novel intervention that supports career development of veterans with mental health and substance use concerns: Purposeful Pathways.

8. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10690727231164646

A Qualitative Exploration of the Vocational Lives ... Purposeful Pathways: An Integrative Career Development Intervention for Vocational, Mental Health, and Substance Use Recovery. Show details ...