Many people with somatic stressors suffer from depressive symptoms. Often they do not receive adequate psychological help, due to several barriers like stigma, high costs and mobility issues.

Therefore, we developed  evidence based CBT self-help booklets and online programmes for people with several somatic stressors, such as physical impairments, rheumatism, arterial diseases, hearing loss, HIV, and definitive infertility.

The effectiveness of the self-help booklets were studied in randomized controlled trials and were proven to be effective. Currently, the following projects are carried out:

• Development and evaluation of an evidence-based internet-supported self-help programme for people living with HIV, suffering from depressive symptoms (large-scale randomized RCT, supported by a grant of the Aids Foundation; PhD project Sanne van Luenen).
• Self-help programme to reduce depressive symptoms among people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana (predictor and feasibility study and RCT; PhD project   Boitumelo Tembo).

In addition, a number of projects are in preparation. Some projects focus on online self-help in people with HIV with depressive symptoms in  collaboration with partners in Australia, and South-East Asia. Other projects focus on people with medically unexplained symptoms.

 

Key publications

1. Kraaij, V., Garnefski, N., & Vlietstra, A. (2008). Cognitive coping and depressive symptoms in definitive infertility: A prospective study. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 29, 9-16.
2. Kraaij, V., van der Veek, S.M., Garnefski, N., Schroevers, M.J., Witlox, R., & Maes, S. (2008). Coping, goal adjustment, and psychological well-being in HIV-infected men who have sex with men. AIDS Patient Care STDS, 22, 395-402.
3. Garnefski, N., Grol, M., Kraaij, V., & Hamming, J. (2009). Cognitive coping and goal adjustment in people with Peripheral Arterial Disease: relationships with depressive symptoms. Patient Education and Counseling, 76, 132-137.
4. Kraaij, V. Emmerik A. van, Garnefski, N., Schroevers, M.J., Lo-Fo-Wong, D., Empelen, P. van, Dusseldorp, E., Witlox, R., & Maes, S. (2010). Effects of a cognitive behavioral self-help program and a computerized structured writing intervention on depressed mood for HIV-infected people: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Patient Education and Counseling, 80, 200-204.
5. Garnefski, N., Kraaij, V., & Schroevers, M. (2010). Boom Hulpboek: Leven met een lichamelijke beperking. Amsterdam: Uitgeverij Boom.
6. Garnefski, N. & Kraaij, V. (2011). Effects of a cognitive behavioral self-help program on depressed mood for people with acquired chronic physical impairments: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Patient Education and Counseling, 85, 304-307.
7. Garnefski, N. & Kraaij, V. (2012). Effects of a Cognitive Behavioral Self-help Program on Emotional Problems for People With Acquired Hearing Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal Of Deaf Studies And Deaf Education, 17,75-84.
8. Garnefski, N., Kraaij, V., Benoist, M., Bout, Z., Karels, E., Smit, A. (2013). Effect of a cognitive behavioral self-help intervention on depression, anxiety, and coping self-efficacy in people with rheumatic disease. Arthritis Care and Research , 65, 1077 – 1084.
9. Garnefski, N., Kraaij, V., Wijers, E., & Hamming, J. (2013). Effects of a cognitive-behavioral self-help program on depressed mood for people with peripheral arterial disease. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Setting, 20, 186-191.
10. Garnefski, N., Kraaij, V., & Schroevers, M. (2013). Boom Hulpboek: Leven met ongewenste kinderloosheid. Amsterdam: Uitgeverij Boom.

 

Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Share by WhatsApp Share by Mastodon