JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Promoting the self-efficacy of autistic individuals in social skills in the workplace is crucial, as they often experience heightened anxiety in workplace social interactions due to challenges in social communication and sensory overload. Virtual Reality (VR) programs show promise for enhancing the self-efficacy of autistic individuals by enabling them to identify specific social scenarios that trigger anxiety, which can aid preparation for similar real-life challenges. However, limited research explores how VR could enhance self-efficacy by facilitating understanding of emotional and physiological states during social skills practice.

Objective:

This research aimed to develop and evaluate the VR system, enabling users to experience simulated work-related social scenarios and reflecting on the simulated practice through physiological and behavioral data visualization, to investigate how it can support autistic individuals to enhance their self-efficacy on social skills at work.

Methods:

First, we developed WorkplaceVR, a VR system that enables users to engage in simulated work-related social scenarios and incorporates data-driven reflections of users' behavioral and physiological responses during these VR experiences. Second, we conducted a deployment study with fourteen autistic young adults to assess the feasibility of WorkplaceVR. A mixed methods approach was employed to measure participants’ perceived self-efficacy before and after using the VR system.

Results:

The study results revealed the feasibility of VR system in increasing the self-efficacy of autistic participants in social skills. First, autistic participants reported a statistically significant increase in the perceived self-efficacy after using the VR system (p=.016). Second, thematic analysis of the interview data confirmed that the VR system fostered an increased self-awareness among participants about social situations that trigger their anxiety, as well the behaviors they exhibit during anxious moments. This increased self-awareness prompted them to recollect their related experiences in the real-world and talk about goals to tame anxiety. Furthermore, these newfound self-insights motivated them to engage in self-advocacy, as they wanted to share the discoveries with others.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the potential of the VR system with physiological and behavioral sensors as a valuable tool to enhance the self-efficacy of autistic individuals in workplace social interactions. Specifically, the data-reflection with physiological sensor data helped autistic participants become more self-aware of their emotions and behaviors, advocate for their characteristics, and develop positive self-beliefs.