Patients’ Experiences of a Stress-Management Programme in Primary Care

Figures & data

Table 1 Example of Analysis; from Meaning Unit to Category

Meaning Unit	Condensed Meaning Unit	Code	Sub-Category	Category
“Well those breathing exercises I have used. Where you can drop your shoulders and deep breathing and stuff like that … It has worked for me.” #3	Used breathing exercises, drop shoulders and deep breathing. Worked for me.	Breathing exercises useful	Active coping strategies	Transformation and tricks to reduce stress and increase quality of life- how the participants use their new knowledge

Table 2 The Result of the Analysis; Categories, Sub-Categories, and Theme

Category	Sub-Category	Theme
Awareness of symptoms and their connection with stress	-Stress creates anxiety, physical disorders, and impaired cognition
	-Negative feedback loop of demands leads to a sense of failure and drains energy
Opinions about the programme and it´s design	-Content and setting
	-Scope and timing
	-Handy advice and new challenges
Personal development		Process of change for a sustainable everyday living
Relapsing and defying negative thoughts
The group’s central role of providing safety and recognition	-Identification
	-Group dynamic and composition
Transformation and tricks to reduce stress and increase quality of life-how the participants use their new knowledge	-Active coping strategies
	-Setting limits, manage demands, and finding balance
	-Support and interplay