Table 5.

Qualitative themes uncovered and example quotes regarding HealthySMS’s potential impact on evidence-based intervention (EBI) engagement.

Theme	Example quote supporting impact on EBI engagement	Example quote about limited impact on EBI engagement
Participation in group sessions	“It was just like a reminder to like start thinking about group. So like before group, I’d just like start thinking about it so I’d like have more to say.”	“I wouldn’t really say that the text messages changed my experience in the actual group. It felt more like kind of a recap throughout the week, and less than, sort of a second part of group, if that makes sense. Yeah like we talked about the text messages a bit in group, but the text messages were always about the thing that happened last week, and so we’d want to move on. It could be helpful if the text messages like cover, like some newer things to introduce you, but um yeah.”
Group homework completion	“That was kind of like a good check in where I was like, OK, did I have homework? What was it? Could that help me? So I would keep that in there.”	“I would definitely do techniques more if I got a text message reminding me to do it [the specific homework rather than the general skill reminder] in the week.”
Connection with others in the group	“It felt like we were closer because we were all getting the same messages and we were all in the same boat together.”	“My experience with my group and group leader was pretty good, but I wouldn’t really say my experience in group and my experience with the text messages were linked.”
Validation and support	“And it felt like someone was like caring about me.”	“But it also could backfire on if you don’t do it [the suggestion in the text], feeling guilty.”
Impact on mood	“It kind of gave me some positivity boost, and it was nice to have someone or something to talk to me while I was feeling that way.”	“I wasn’t doing anything because I couldn’t go out and it just made me think about it more...So it just made me a little bit more sad.”
Behavior change and skill use	“I got something like the, call or spend time with people who make you feel happy...And I ended up calling one of my closest friends and she did bring up my mood a little bit...”	“I didn’t usually act on it, probably just because it was like, OK, well, right now I’m doing something. So then I wouldn’t really remember to do it later, but I can see how, what the idea was.”