Table 1.

Example of cross-tabulation mapping the mechanism of action attitude toward the behavior to the determinants in primary qualitative research.

Statement	Illustrative quote
I take medication for my mental health by injection which I don’t like because it hurts but it keeps me well	“I have an injection every fortnight and that keeps me stable. I don’t like it, it hurts, it’s horrible but it keeps me well. My husband would tell you, it’s the best thing that’s happened to me” (Pa).
I get fed up with taking my medications because they cause side effects	“And the Diabetes, I do get fed up with needles every day. Twice a day. In my thigh, twice a day, morning and night. I get fed up with that. And tablets as well, I take a load of tablets every day and I get fed up with that as well. They cause side effects, you see” (P).
I enjoy doing some types of exercise but not others	P: “I used to go the gym.” Ib: “And how did you find that?” P: “I liked the walking machine and the rowing machine but I didn’t fancy the weights.” I: “Is that something you’d like to carry on doing?” P: “No, not really.” I: “No? Why not?” P: “No, no. I don’t really...I didn’t really enjoy it that much.”
I drink alcoholic drinks because I enjoy it	“Oh I drink about 5 or 6 cans [of alcoholic drinks] a night yeah. To have a good time because I enjoy it, I enjoy it yeah” (P).
I don’t always monitor my blood glucose levels because it seems like too much hard work	“Well, I could do it at tea time I suppose but I don’t because it seems like too much messing about. You’ve got to fiddle about putting this needle thing in here. Put the strip on the machine and then test your blood. Sometimes, when you press the button and no blood comes out, you’ve got to do it again. Stuff like that” (P).
I have a great counsellor that I see every week to help me cope with my conditions	“I go to counselling every week. I’ve got a great counsellor. So, that’s a big part of my self-management” (P).
I used to take part in relaxation sessions which were really good	“I used to do relaxation [at the day center], you know when they put the lights out and listen to music and you relax and they tell you you’re walking through a forest or whatever? That’s really good” (P).
I take part in leisure activities and I like doing them	“There are things I can do, I like to walk as well and there’s some really nice walks around here. Leisure activities, yeah, I can walk the dog and do the garden, I like to paint” (P).

^aP: participant.

^bI: interviewer.