Two levels of intervention in low-income women with depressive symptoms: compliance and programme assessment.

Abstract

This study reports on the evaluation of a brief group intervention for women of limited means with depressive symptoms. A comparison design was used with pre-, post- and four-month follow-up assessments for 93 women in the group intervention condition who were given six two-hour sessions of psycho-educational intervention, and 42 women in a minimum individual condition who received a 20-minute explanation in addition to the educational material, which yielded the following results. Both conditions were effective in motivating participants to engage in self-help activities (making time for themselves every week, using writing as a means of sorting out problems, talking to someone about their problems and carrying out the reflection and cognitive behavioural exercises) and to seek further professional help when necessary. The intervention condition was more positively evaluated since participants regarded it as having a greater influence on their life and problems. Influence was related to better understanding and coping with problems, mood improvement, changes in the way they thought about things, knowing themselves better and being more accepting of themselves. The results suggest that both interventions tackle important issues related to depression in women but further data are needed for a better understanding of this relationship.