Effect-evaluation of the intervention “Being active without Worries”.

Social economic characteristics explain for an important part mental health problems. Individuals with a depression have often experienced one or more stressful life events in the year preceding their depression. The meaning attributed to these stressful experiences is an important explanatory factor in the onset of depression. Women with low social economic status (LSES) in disadvantaged neighborhoods are often charged with multiple stressors (low education, low income, poor labor conditions, unemployment) and are a vulnerable group for the onset of mental health problems such as depression and stress.

Nationally, the “coping with depression” course has been developed in different versions for different target groups. However, research shows that the course is not easily accessible for LSES groups. There is considerably more drop- out amongst LSES participants, the course level and homework are considered to be too difficult, and the enrollment method using ads is less suitable. The course has been adapted to the target population by, amongst others, adding an exercise component. Exercise has a beneficial anti- depressant effect.

The goal of the project is to carry out an effect evaluation of the course “being active without worries”, in order to investigate if the course can prevent depressive and stress related symptomatology in LSES women.

1. Can a larger percentage of Low SES women with depressive and/or stress related symptomatology be reached with an intervention when this contains an exercise component?
2. How effective is exercise only (B) compared to a control group (C) and does exercise plus psycho- education (BP) offer a surplus value above B?
3. How do LSES women appreciate this new intervention?

1. B-condition, the eight- week intervention is offered with only the exercise component;
2. BP-condition, the eight- week intervention is offered with the exercise and psycho- education components;
3. A C-condition, a control condition with postponed intervention for 3 months.
(see also summary for explanation).