Table 2

Subcategories, categories and themes

Subcategories

Categories

Themes

-Constant back pain

-Back pain

A threatened independence

-Activity-related back pain

-The body as a hindrance in everyday life

-Consequences in daily life

-Dependent on others

-Feelings of loneliness

-Anxiety

-Fear and threat

-Self-esteem

-Self-image

-Loss of roles

-Bodily change

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-Optimistic coping

-Emotional

Strategies for maintaining independence

-Pessimistic coping

-Self-care

-Activity

-Social support

-Support

-Health care professional support

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-Ability to perform everyday activities

-"Managing"

The importance of maintaining independence

-Experience health

-Next of kin and friends

-"Loving"

-Social activities

-Living conditions

-"Having"

-Something meaningful to do

Hallberg et al. BMC Nursing 2010 9:7   doi:10.1186/1472-6955-9-7