Aim and objectives of the report - CLES

esearch that shows 31% of adults were meeting the current guideline (NWPHO, 2009).Mental ill healthDrawing upon the seven item version of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale(CESD-D), findings from Westbank participants suggested a significant improvement in self reportedmental health. There was a statistically significant decrease in reported depression scoresdemonstrating improved mental health from baseline (M =8.44, SD 5.22) to follow up (M=12.58, SD4.29) t (88)-7.08. On the shorter CES-D a score of 8 or less is indicative of significant or milddepressive symptoms. The baseline and follow up mean scores here indicate that at baselinebeneficiaries reported mild depressive symptoms on the scale but not on follow up.The data can be put in the context of wider research. The percentages of people reported significantor mild depressive symptoms are:20.8% of the UK population (NWPHO, 2007)36% of respondents in the other BIG Well-being portfolios to date (Sept 2010)49.5% of Westbank respondents at baseline18.9% of Westbank respondents at follow upThese data suggest that Westbank is working with people who have higher than Englandaverage levels of mental ill health. For these people, participation in New Steps projectactivities was associated with a significant improvement in mental health.Mental well-being: life satisfactionParticipants were asked how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with their life on a scale from 0-10where O was extremely dissatisfied and 10 extremely satisfied. There was a statistically significantincrease in reported satisfaction from a baseline (M=6.9, SD 2.29) to follow up (M=8.4, SD 2.02) t(90)-5.74. This measure is a good predictor of wider aspects of psycho-social well-being that can becompared to other survey data. The average scores for the following surveys areSWWB baseline average = 6.1BIG Well-being portfolio respondents = 6.6UK adult population survey (Defra, 2007) = 7.2A comparison therefore shows that Westbank participants self-reported life satisfaction is below theaverage for the UK adult population at start of their activities. Following participation in Westbankactivities self-reported life satisfaction is higher than the UK average (8.4 compared 7.2).Mental well-being: positive functioning and feelingUsing measures derived from the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS),we found a significant improvement in self reported mental well-being. There was a statisticallysignificant mean increase from 22.8 to 26.8 (SDs: 5.0 & 3.9; t-9.82; p