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Table 2 Exemplification of the analytical procedure from the meaning units to the subthemes

From: The meaning and validation of social support networks for close family of persons with advanced cancer

Meaning unit

Condensed meaning unit

Code

Subtheme

“If there’s a problem during the day when my wife’s bad, I can just ring our daughter and she’ll get off work and come at once, which means I’ve got good support at home. We talk often, and she can sometimes give me good advice about what to do.” (Interviewee 2)

If there is a problem he rings their daughter, who can get off work and come at once. This is good support at home. They talk and she gives him good advice.

The daughter is on hand to give her father support and advice.

Understanding and support from relatives

“I’ve got my parents nearby, thank goodness. When my husband’s in hospital they come and help me every evening so that I can go and see him. Without my parents, I don’t know what would’ve happened about all the practical things at home. They help me put the children to bed in the evening so that I can go to the hospital. I could do with that help all the time.” (Interviewee 10)

Has her parents nearby. When her husband is in hospital they come and help her put the children to bed every evening so that she can go and see him. She doesn’t know what she would have done without them. They help with the practical things at home.

Appreciates her parents’ help with home and children.

Understanding and support from relatives

“As soon as I feel distressed my sister and other people close to me come over at once. It’s pretty odd, really. The people I feel I get most support from are the ones who’ve been through crises of their own and have had a bit of a hard time themselves. My sister’s husband’s ten years older and he’s got skin cancer, so in a way I support her too.” (Interviewee 7)

As soon as she feels distressed her sister and other people close to her come over. Finds it odd that the people she feels give her most support are those who have experienced crises of their own and are themselves in a difficult situation.

Wonders about the fact that she gets most support from those who have experienced crises of their own.

Greatest understanding from those who have experienced crises of their own

“I’m alone here. He’s got a son. He’s too immature to handle a loss so he avoids coming here. It makes me very sad, the way he mostly rings and makes some excuse. They like each other, it’s not that. Dad and son like each other but the way I see it he’s too immature to bear the sorrow.” (Interviewee 3)

Alone in the situation. Husband’s son is too immature to bear the sorrow. This makes her very sad, because father and son like each other very much. The son often rings with some excuse.

Observes with sorrow how the son can’t cope with meeting his father.

Desire for a deeper relationship with relatives

“Our employer’s just fantastic. He always stops to chat with whoever he meets. Twice he’s taken the time to visit us at home. It gives you such a sense of security.” (Interviewee 7)

Employer just fantastic. He always stops and talks. Has twice taken the time to visit. This gives such a sense of security.

Admires and appreciates her employer who has visited her at home.

Involvement of fellow-workers and employer