What can we talk about, in which language, in what way and with whom? Sami patients' experiences of language choice and cultural norms in mental health treatment

Figures & data

Table I. Examples of analysis with meaning units, codes, code groups and themes

Meaning units: citations from the interviews	Codes	Code groups	Themes
I: In your communication with the therapist, can you express yourself equally well in Norwegian as you do in Sami? I mean, do you have better words for feelings in Sami than in Norwegian? Pa4: What do you mean? I: Do the Sami words describe how you are doing in a better way? Pa4: No. We don't have words like that in Sami. So emotionally, I think I express myself better in Norwegian, describe the situation … Just now, I can't think of words to describe what I feel. In Sami. I: What do you think about that? Pa4: It was thought provoking, what you said. But of course, we do have words for some states of feelings, such as pain. Such simple words we do have, but not deep … emotional …. But wait, in fact, if I think about it, we do have that kind of word. But it's sort of not used, I don't think I've said that, ever, don't think so. So it came as a shock when you asked. I had to start thinking, although my mother tongue is Sami, it's maybe not used so often, but you have sometimes heard it. But it's not something you use every day. I think Sami society doesn't talk much about feelings and problems.	Emotionally I express myself better in Norwegian. I cannot think of words to describe what I feel, in Sami. We have simple words for feelings such as pain in Sami, but not for deep emotions. If I think about it, we have such words for emotions, but they are so rarely used you forget about them. Sami society does not talk about feelings and problems.	Express emotions more easily in Norwegian. Lack of Sami language competence for emotions. Sami society does not talk about feelings and problems.	Theme I: Language choice is influenced by language competence, to whom one talks and what one talks about. Theme II: Cultural norms influence what one talks about, in what way and to whom.