Psychosocial correlates of exercise in women with self-reported depressive symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Exercise effectively reduces symptoms of depression. However, correlates of regular exercise in depressed women are unknown. This study assessed psychosocial determinants of exercise in a sample of women with depressive symptoms.


METHODS
Sixty-one women completed demographic, depression, and exercise-related questionnaires.


RESULTS
The average Primary Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression score was 12.1 (SD = 5.0), indicating moderate depressive symptoms. In the previous week, the women reported 12.8 metabolic equivalents (METs) of exercise. Low levels of self-efficacy and social support for exercise were also reported. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with barriers to exercise (r = .35, P < .01), and barriers were inversely related to exercise METs (r = -.37, P < .05). Barriers to activity and education level were significant determinants of exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with depressive symptoms report minimal exercise involvement, numerous barriers to exercise, and low exercise self-efficacy and social support for exercise.
Craft
Lynette L
LL
Dept of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Perna
Frank A
FA
Freund
Karen M
KM
Culpepper
Larry
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health