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 editors: Kiuru, Noona; Puolakanaho, Anne; Lappalainen, Päivi; Keinonen, Katariina; Mauno, Saija; Muotka, Joona; Lappalainen, Raimo

Journal or series: Journal of Vocational Behavior

ISSN: 0001-8791

eISSN: 1095-9084

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 127

Article number: 103578

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103578

Publication open access: Not 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.

Keywords: young people; career planning; career guidance; online services; acceptance and commitment therapy; intervention

Free keywords: adolescents; acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); online interventions; career preparation

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 2