Table 3.

Overview of Themes and Subthemes in the Qualitative Analysis.

Themes and categories	Quotations
1. Valuation of the program
1a: Emotional aspects	“My partner enjoyed the sessions.” “Some sessions were very emotional.”
1b: Social aspects	“I cherished the sympathy the other group members expressed.”
1c: Quality of intervention	“I appreciated the written background information.” “I will miss the group because my partner’s condition will progress and I will need similar support then too.”
2. Knowledge
2a: MCI and memory	“My understanding of how memory works has increased.” “I still have questions about the precise type of MCI my husband is suffering from.”
2b: Memory-enhancing techniques	“We cannot solve the memory problem itself, but you can make use of memory aids.”
2c: Dealing with own negative responses	“I’ve learned the importance of talking with other people about it.”
2d: Dealing with relational changes	“I’ve learned a lot from the session, about disagreements and social conflicts.”
3. Insight
3a: Coping with self-relevant implications	“I’m now better aware of the coping process we’re both going through, of which the shifts in denial and defiance and acceptance are part.” “I realize that my husband and I should keep up our leisure activities. Until now we had become too passive in this respect.”
3b: Problems due to MCI-related changes	“I became aware that my wife has difficulties managing some situations. I now think differently about this.”
3c: Keeping alert with respect to changes in memory functioning	“I intend to be more alert that my partner does not become too passive. I will not take over her tasks too quickly but will assist my wife in performing them herself.”
3d: Keeping alert with respect to negative consequences to the self	“I’ll try not to get worried too much about the daily hazards.” “I’ll try to deal with my growing sense of loneliness.”
3e: Keeping alert with respect to relational changes	“I intend to spend one-on-one time with my partner.” “I have to check my criticizing attitude.” “I have to mind not to be devaluing when supporting my partner.”
4. Acceptance
4a: MCI	“Thanks to the therapy I’ve become more accepting of my wife’s MCI.” “I hope my wife will recover from her memory problems.”
4b: Relational changes	“We can’t discuss it in the way I would like to do, but I’m now more accepting because my husband used to be like this before.”
5. Coping
5a: Instrumental coping - Applying memory strategies	“I repeatedly refer him to our agenda when he asks me about our appointments.”
5b: Emotional coping	“I feel less guilty now of leaving him on his own when I’m feeling stressed. I know this is a good way to deal with stress” “I’m talking about our situation with others, even though my partner doesn’t want me to do so. It isn’t easy, but it helps me a lot.”
5c: Coping with relational changes	“My partner has changed in that he is more open towards me. The memory problems are a common theme of our talks now.” “I’ve learned to agree with my partner even when I know he’s wrong, but only with unimportant subjects.” “We still have difficulties discussing the problems together.”
6. Emotional changes	“I feel more relaxed and confident now” “I now have more faith in that what I do is right.” “I now am less often annoyed when my husband has forgotten something.”

Abbreviation: MCI, mild cognitive impairment.