A1 Journal article (refereed)
Effectiveness of a web-based acceptance and commitment therapy program for adolescent career preparation : A randomized controlled trial (2021)


Kiuru, N., Puolakanaho, A., Lappalainen, P., Keinonen, K., Mauno, S., Muotka, J., & Lappalainen, R. (2021). Effectiveness of a web-based acceptance and commitment therapy program for adolescent career preparation : A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 127, Article 103578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103578


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsKiuru, Noona; Puolakanaho, Anne; Lappalainen, Päivi; Keinonen, Katariina; Mauno, Saija; Muotka, Joona; Lappalainen, Raimo

Journal or seriesJournal of Vocational Behavior

ISSN0001-8791

eISSN1095-9084

Publication year2021

Volume127

Article number 103578

PublisherElsevier

Publication countryUnited States

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103578

Publication open accessNot open

Publication channel open access

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/75295


Abstract

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) programs have rarely been used as tools for promoting adolescents' career preparation. This randomized controlled trial examined the possibility to promote the career preparation of Finnish ninth-grade adolescents (n = 249, 49% females) with a web-based five-week ACT-based online intervention program. Participants were randomly assigned to three conditions, of which two groups received an iACT including support via SMS (iACTface: iACT+two face-to-face sessions; only iACT: iACT with no face-to-face sessions) and the third (control) group received no treatment. The results showed that career-related insecurity decreased as a result of the intervention irrespective of adolescent gender or academic achievement. Intervention effects in career-choice self-efficacy, in turn, were moderated by gender as such that girls benefited more from face-to-face support during intervention than boys. All the detected immediate effects were maintained at the six-month follow-up. In turn, delayed intervention effects in career-related insecurity and career-choice self-efficacy were mainly observed among adolescents with low academic achievement. The effect sizes of the found intervention effects were moderate. The results suggest that ACT-based online intervention programs have potential to promote adolescent career preparation. However, such interventions might be especially effective for subgroups of adolescents.


Keywordsyoung peoplecareer planningcareer guidanceonline servicesacceptance and commitment therapyintervention

Free keywordsadolescents; acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); online interventions; career preparation


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Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2021

JUFO rating2


Last updated on 2024-26-03 at 09:19