Table 5.
Experience participating in cognitive behavioral therapy programs
| Meaning units | Subcategories | Core themes |
|---|---|---|
| Learning to regulate depressive emotions | Alleviating depression | Psychological stability |
| Reducing anxiety by discarding unnecessary thoughts | ||
| Decreasing depression through positive thinking | ||
| Reducing anxiety by identifying cognitive errors | Reducing anxiety | |
| Alleviating despairing thoughts and easing depression | ||
| Decreasing anxiety by correcting negative predictions | ||
| Enhancing self-esteem through realizing strengths | Improving self-esteem | |
| Acting confidently without concern for others’ opinions | ||
| Boosting self-Esteem by finding things to be grateful for | ||
| Accepting current situations comfortably | Accepting the current circumstances | |
| Transitioning from negative to accepting thoughts | ||
| Acknowledging and accepting myself through meditation | ||
| Relaxing the body through meditation | Reducing tension and relaxing the body | Physical symptom relief |
| Reducing body tension through stretching | ||
| Easing body tension through progressive muscle relaxation | ||
| Reducing headaches through stretching and muscle relaxation | Relieving pain | |
| Relieving lower back pain through meditation | ||
| Relieving shoulder pain and enhancing body awareness through meditation | ||
| Improving sleep quality through body relaxation | Improving sleep quality | |
| Experiencing comfort and ease in bed | ||
| Enhancing sleep quality through meditation | ||
| Reducing stress from others’ words | Improving the ability to cope with stress | Different daily routines |
| Applying stress coping techniques in daily life | ||
| Using breathing techniques as stress coping methods | ||
| Coping with stress through changing thoughts | ||
| Focusing on what I can do and feeling gratitude | Focus on things one can do | |
| Concentrating on what I can do and engaging in productive thinking | ||
| Focusing on tasks I can accomplish and finding joy | ||
| Improving relationship with a difficult father | Improving real-world relationships | |
| Speaking to family members with positive language | ||
| Improving relationship with my wife through change negative thoughts | ||
| Learning emotional expression and improving relationship with my wife | ||
| Applying assertiveness in daily life for clear communication | ||
| Accepting negative situations with a rational attitude | Aiming for a positive and rational attitude | Challenges and hopes for change |
| Turning negative biases towards others into positive ones | ||
| Recognizing cognitive errors and transitioning to positive thinking | ||
| Developing positive thinking through cognitive error checks | ||
| Participating in rehabilitation with expectations of improvement | Active participation in rehabilitation | |
| Feeling accomplishment and increased enthusiasm for rehabilitation | ||
| Discarding negative thoughts and enhancing passion for rehabilitation | ||
| Committing to a planned life and dedicating myself to treatment | ||
| Discovering my continuous growth | Expectations for future changes | |
| Determined to become a strong mother for my children | ||
| Setting a goal to return to work | ||
| Committing to maintaining positive thinking after discharge |