Korte, MSc, J. (Jojanneke)

PhD student

Presence	:	Mo. / Tu. / We. / Th. / Fr.
Building	:	Citadel, room H 403
Telephone	:	+31 (0)53 – 489 6057 +31 (0)53 – 489 4470 (secretary)
Fax	:	+31 (0)53 – 489 2388
E-mail	:	j.korte@utwente.nl

Expertise

October 2007 I graduated as a psychologist at the University of Twente, with “Safety and Health” as main theme and “Work and Organisation” as subtheme. My master thesis investigated determinants of alcohol use in a representative sample of young Dutch people and the role of “private peer group settings”. Also it assessed differences in alcohol use, alcohol behaviours and alcohol opinions between the ones that visit private peer group settings and the ones that do not. From January 7, 2008, I’m working as a PhD Student at the University of Twente, at the Department of Psychology & Communication of Health & Risk.

PdD project

“Prevention of depression and anxiety in later life: A randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed at investigating the cost effectiveness of integrative reminiscence”

My PhD project is focused on prevention of depression and anxiety in later life. Among elderly people, depression and anxiety are a significant health problem. By far the most important risk factor of late-life depression or anxiety disorder is the presence of depressive symptoms and/or anxiety symptoms. In order to reduce the risk of new onsets of anxiety and depression, prevention has to be the main objective. International research indicates that integrative reminiscence (life-review) leads to a reduction in depressive symptoms and may also be effective in reducing anxiety. Integrative reminiscence is a low threshold prevention method, especially developed for the elderly and directed at an active re-evaluation of one’s life. It encompasses an active search to alternatives for life stories that underlie depression or anxiety. At the University of Twente a course for life-review was designed, “The stories we live by”, aimed at people of 55 years and over, with mild depressive and/or anxiety symptoms. In this project the (cost) effectiveness of this course is investigated. The effects of the course on depression, anxiety, quality of life and mental health are investigated by means of a randomized controlled trial. In addition, economic analyses will be conducted. The project is supervised by Prof. Dr. Erwin Seydel and Dr. Ernst Bohlmeijer, and financed by ZonMw.