Table 2.

Subcategories, categories and themes

Subcategories	Categories	Themes
-Constant back pain	-Back pain	A threatened independence
-Activity-related back pain
-The body as a hindrance in everyday life	-Consequences in daily life
-Dependent on others
-Feelings of loneliness	-Anxiety
-Fear and threat
-Self-esteem	-Self-image
-Loss of roles
-Bodily change
-------------------------------	-------------------------	---------------------------------
-Optimistic coping	-Emotional	Strategies for maintaining independence
-Pessimistic coping
-Self-care	-Activity
-Social support	-Support
-Health care professional support
-----------------------------------	--------------------------	---------------------------------
-Ability to perform everyday activities	-"Managing"	The importance of maintaining independence
-Experience health
-Next of kin and friends	-"Loving"
-Social activities
-Living conditions	-"Having"
-Something meaningful to do