Table 3. Processes and relevance to self-determination theory components (n = 18/29 transcripts).

Subtheme	Examples	SDT component(s) a
Aligned with interests(n = 18/29 transcripts)	' I’m diabetic, so type 2 diabetes and the stress eating one was referred to me by my doctor because she knew that I had at the time a very stressful call centre job, so--and you have a tendency to just eat while you’re stressed and I had an interest in controlling it.' (Centretown patient) '[…] I had been hesitant to volunteer about doing something specifically, committing--for a variety of my own personal reasons, so this idea of being able to give back in a way that I was comfortable with, that wasn’t dictated to me in any way, that could draw upon my strengths, my needs, and could be fairly flexible. That was one of the things I was looking for.' (South Georgian Bay health champion)	A, C
Supportive staff(n = 18/29 transcripts)	'I’m not a very trustful person, and I’m not a very open person, to be honest, even though it may seem it. They just--they seemed to be more--I don’t know, they just give you more a sense of comfort and that they’re not there to say, okay, well you should have done this, this and this, or you should do this, kind of more bossy or anything. They seemed more open to things and more willing to sit there and listen to you, and not--like, I’ve had doctors in the past where I’ve been in an abusive relationship and I’m afraid to say anything to them, where with these guys I’m more willing to sit there and tell them what’s going on, if there’s something wrong, and not worry that they’re going to judge me or force me to do something that I may not be ready to do at the time.' (West Elgin patient) 'Yes, another thing that I find for which I’m very grateful and surprised is how understanding people here are. It’s about one of the very few places that I feel welcome and respected as I am.' (Centretown patient)	R

^aA = autonomy. C = competence. R = relatedness. SDT = self-determination theory.