De Carlo, A., Carluccio, F., Rapisarda, S., Mora, D., & Ometto, I.
Three uses of virtual reality in work and organizational psychology interventions. A dialogue between virtual reality and organizational well-being: Relaxation techniques, personal resources, and anxiety/depression treatments
This study provides an annotated summary of available literature on the use of virtual reality (VR) in work and organizational psychology interventions. VR is a combination of technologies creating realistic virtual environments in which a person feels immersed. Its sensory experiences can enhance organizational interventions, therefore it is considered a relevant innovation for work and organizational psychology. The studies taken into consideration show that VR technology emerged as a potentially effective way to provide general and specialty health care intervention and it can provide support both in improving patient well-being and in reducing pain and anxiety. The fields of application in which VR is most relevant can be divided in three clusters: stress reduction through learning relaxation techniques, improvement of personal resources, and reduction of anxiety and depression. These three categories are relevant in work and organizational psychology, because they are part of many models of organizational well-being/disease. Personal resources and the use of relaxation techniques as a coping strategy are mediators between causes of disease and consequences. Anxiety and depression are two forms of psychological strain, inadequate for a specific situation and consequent to the interaction between organizational causes of disease and personal resources/coping strategies. The use of VR in combination with work and organizational psychology techniques, therefore, can be used on relevant organizational dimensions to improve health and well-being, as well as performance, making interventions more effective and efficient.
Testing, Psychometrics, Methodology in Applied Psychology, 2020, Vol. 27, pp. 129-143, DOI: 10.4473/TPM27.1.8
