Table 1 Frequency (n) of respondents citing advantages of seeking support for depression from family and friends
Categories and subcategories | n | Coded Types |
|---|---|---|
1. Support | 282 | Â |
Emotional | 154 | Understanding (n = 55), love (22)*, care (20), privacy and confidentiality (18), trust (10), sympathy (8), acceptance (8), encouragement (9), reassurance (7), empathy (6), self-esteem support (6), strengthened relationship (6), comfort (4), feeling of safety (4), compassion (3), hope (3), patience (3), consideration (2), empowerment (2), familiarity (2), intimacy (2), kindness (2), prayer (2), concern (1) |
Informational | 93 | Advice (37), facilitation of help seeking (31), appraisal support (26), sharing of experiences (14) |
Companionship | 36 | Sense of connection (14), humour (4) |
Instrumental | 23 | Practical support (13), expressed willingness to take action (9) |
Universality | 7 | Â |
2. Knowledge of consumer | 72 | Personal attributes (50), circumstances (40) |
3. Enabled burden offloading | 62 | Â |
4. Positive personal attributes | 49 | Trustworthiness (17), non-judgmental attitude (15), genuine interest in well-being (7), genuinely caring (5), honesty (4), good listener (4), loving (3) |
5. Accessible and acceptable | 36 | Available when needed (9), available to discuss matters honestly (7), comfortable talking to family/friends (5), can be yourself (4), more personal (3), approachable (3), less embarrassing (3), less shame (2), no cost (2), no time limit (1) |
6. Educate family/friend | 30 | Â |
7. Other | 31 | Listening ear (18), general-e.g., you feel better (13), had professional knowledge-experience (9), openness/self-disclosure (5) |