Table 1.
Example of three final subthemes of the main theme: “keeping the family together.”
| Data-extract | Coded for | Subtheme |
|---|---|---|
| You have to look out for yourself, because there is such an enormous pressure at home, that if you are pressured at work as well, you will just collapse-P1 | Must consider yourself in order to not become overburdened | Considering one's own life |
|
| ||
| I want to be there for him, but it is not easy. He never wants to do any of the things I suggest, like going for a walk. I just find it really hard to know exactly how I am supposed to be there for him-P6 | Finding it difficult to provide social support to sick parent | Assuming responsibility for the sick parent |
|
| ||
| I mostly just talk with her (healthy parent) about her thoughts and feelings. She has been very upset and cries a lot and has this need to talk. You just try the best you can, but it has not been easy knowing what to say to her, or how I should deal with it-P10 | Having to provide emotional support to healthy parent while bottling up own feelings | Having to support the healthy parent |