Evaluation of the online course The stories we live by

INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Age 40 years and over; INTERVENTION: The online self‐help course is based on the self‐help book "The stories we live by," and makes use of integrative reminiscence (life review). The intervention consists of six modules over 12 weeks. The experimental group The stories we live by + counselor receive 2‐weekly feedback and support from the counselor via e‐mail. Participants in the experimental group The stories we live by + peer contact individually follow the course, but react on each other 2‐weekly. A peer group consists of 4 participants. The control group will be on a waiting list. CONDITION: ; Internet‐based guided self‐help, Depression, Mental health problems, Integrative reminiscence ; ; PRIMARY OUTCOME: The primary outcome measure is reduction of depressive symptoms, measured with the CES‐D. SECONDARY OUTCOME: The secondary outcomes are improvements in health status (measured by the EQ‐VAS, subjective health and functional limitations), positive mental health (measured by the MHC‐SF), vitality (measured by the vitality subscale of the MOS SF‐36), mastery (measured with the Pearlin Mastery Scale) and social support (measured by the SSL‐12‐I), and a reduction of loneliness (measured with the loneliness Scale). 2. The presence of mild to moderate depressive complaints (CES‐D score = 10).