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Table 2 Strategies per (meta-)cluster with priority

From: Helpful self-management strategies to cope with enduring depression from the patients’ point of view: a concept map study

Number

Cluster theme with strategies

Mean (SD) 1

Priority ≥ 4 2(%)

Meta-cluster A: A focus on the depression

  

Cluster 1

Being aware that my depression needs active coping

3.34 3

 

46

Take the signals of my depression seriously

4.08 (1.19)

68

22

Acknowledging that depression is a disease

3.96 (1.48)

72

11

Take more and more decisions myself again

3.44 (1.21)

44

39

Engaging in a structured form of meditation (e.g. yoga, mindfulness)

3.16 (2.37)

44

43

Do my best not to avoid issues

3.16 (2.89)

36

49

Taking my medication at a fixed place and/or time

2.84 (2.53)

36

47

Using a positive mantra

2.76 (2.18)

32

Cluster 2

Active coping with professional treatment

3.33

 

28

Maintaining long-term professional support

4.00 (1.20)

76

7

Finding a therapist with whom I feel connection

3.68 (1.26)

56

13

Finding a type of treatment that suits me

3.40 (1.28)

56

31

Taking warnings from others about increasing of my depression seriously, even if I do not notice it myself

3.36 (1.59)

48

9

Making sure I have telephone support when needed from family/friends/an organisation

3.32 (1.34)

48

14

Finding information about my depression

3.00 (1.44)

40

27

Making sure there is professional support when using my medication

3.00 (2.00)

40

8

Asking my therapist for explanation about medication

2.96 (1.80)

44

Meta-cluster B: An active lifestyle

  

Cluster 3

Active self-care, structure and planning

3.00

 

24

Ensuring enough rest to avoid exhaustion through over-exertion

3.68 (1.58)

60

15

Setting realistic short-term goals

3.56 (1.29)

56

26

Making sure to have a good day/night rhythm

3.40 (2.16)

64

3

Ignoring the tiredness associated with my depression

3.12 (1.55)

40

19

Get dressed every day

3.12 (2.75)

52

17

Engaging consciously and unstressed in activities

3.04 (1.96)

44

4

Making an adjusted activity schedule

3.00 (1.60)

28

40

Keeping a diary

2.80 (2.80)

40

2

Take a shower every morning

2.72 (2.28)

36

30

Healthy eating

2.72 (2.28)

36

23

Making sure that I will be awakened every morning

2.68 (2.78)

40

20

Making plans for the future

2.68 (1.66)

28

33

Taking every opportunity to tide the house

2.48 (1.29)

20

Cluster 5

Free time activities

2.74 3

 

18

Leaving the house regularly

3.72 (1.56)

60

10

Engaging in sports activities

3.20 (1.36)

48

16

Exploring creative hobbies

2.84 (1.97)

32

1

Develop an unused talent

2.28 (1.64)

16

36

Writing an own weblog

1.68 (1.34)

12

Meta-cluster C: Participation in everyday social life

Cluster 4

Social engagement

2.94

 

6

Informing close family/friends about my depression

3.64 (1.03)

52

50

Explaining my depression to family/friends

3.52 (1.45)

48

25

Involving close family/friends in my treatment

3.48 (1.45)

60

37

Meet with the friends with whom I can be myself

3.40 (1.52)

52

45

Discussing depression with those I trust in order to have support nearby

3.40 (1.52)

60

42

Ask my family/friends to actively keep in contact with me

3.36 (1.99)

48

38

Discussing my depression with trusted people to fetch predjudices

2.80 (1.68)

32

44

Seeking contact with fellow sufferers

2.64 (1.83)

24

29

Searching out my family background

2.28 (2.12)

24

48

Planning a holiday adapted to my possibilities in consultation with my family/friends

2.16 (1.49)

16

41

Searching for contact with new people in my life without obligations

1.64 (1.03)

4

Cluster 6

Work-related activities

2.47

 

32

Explaining my depression to my manager

2.64 (1.75)

24

5

Explaining my depression to close colleagues

2.60 (1.44)

24

34

Finding out which activities are achievable

2.52 (1.61)

28

12

Provide backup from colleagues for work that is too much for me

2.40 (1.52)

20

35

Slowly start (volunteering) work

2.36 (1.51)

16

21

Finding occupations (e.g. volunteering)

2.32 (1.34)

16

  1. 1Mean priority per strategy with standard deviation (SD).
  2. 2Percentage of patients that prioritize the strategy as important/very important (4 or 5).
  3. 3Cluster mean score.
  4. Bold values indicate the 10 most important strategies.