Table 2.

Process of developing themes from focus group discussions with medical students and interns

Primary Codes	Categories	Organizing Themes
- View about future social and financial status to self-motivate  - instant treats to self-motivate  - Reframe stress to be inevitable and healthy  - Organizing short-term plans  - Relationship of marital status of students to their time management ability  - Socializing  - Physical exercise, reading and volunteering	1- Cognitive self-rewarding 2- Planning and time management 3- Socializing and communication 4- Engaging in recreational activities	Active strategies
- Refraining from medical related talks with friends  - Refraining from medical talks with overachievers  - Building relationships with the other gender as self-distraction or for ventilation  - Smoking to relief stress  - Smoking as self-distraction	1- Avoiding medical discussions 2- Building relationships with the other sex 3- Smoking 4- Physical exercise	Avoidant strategies