Table 1 Examples showing how units were interpreted and coded into themes for answers given to the open question
Main theme | Sub-theme | Selected unit | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
Physical health | Light physical activity causes physical complaints | “When I have to walk up and down the stairs, I move up the stairs in a sitting position and then I’m very short of breath.” | Going up the stairs is a difficult and laborious exercise, which causes shortness of breath. |
Physical health | Heavy physical activity causes physical symptoms | “Especially, during heavy physical exertions, you feel some pain at times, and you experience some shortness of breath.” | Heavy physical exertion triggers pain and shortness of breath. |
Physical health | Stamina | “My stamina is, of course, somewhat lower than others. I think that is actually the most important point.” | Stamina is lower in comparison to others. |
Autonomy | Asking for help | “Now I have to ask others can you please help me? Mind you, I haven’t done it yet, but that’s very hard.” | It is difficult to ask others for help. |
Autonomy | Independence | “Then I get irritable, because I like to do everything myself, and I’m not able to do that.” | Loss of independence causes anger. |