2^nd order

3^rd order

Quotations

Structure

Group composition (n = 5)

The composition of the team helped me a lot. I felt that the one was pushing the other.

Group cohesion (n = 6)

The feeling that there is a good cohesion among team members made me feel more engaged and motivated in achieving my goal

The relation―interaction with other persons (n = 6)

I was feeling like I’m in a race where were also fighting many other people who could understand my effort and my difficulties and help me with hem. That felt, that a link with the other team members starts created, made me seeking the group meeting and wanting to be there and to get a lot of things.

Content

Exchanging experiences (n = 6)

The experiences of other members was for me as if I see in front of me different marathons with different results. The experiences exchange gave me many ideas and things at a practical and also at an emotional level.

Emotions sharing (n = 6)

I felt happy, relieved and more motivated because I was sharing my feelings with others who understood me and spoke the same language with me.

Knowledge and information (n = 6)

There were several things that I did not know and I had the opportunity to learn through group sessions.

Comparisons (n = 1)

That I saw people at different stages and with different courses helped me to have a model, to reflect on what path I want to follow and to want to be like them.

Similarities (experiences-difficulties) (n = 5)

The similarities with the other members, mainly on the difficulties (the feeling that what I go through is common to all) in the smoking cessation process, the common experiences and the fact that we all spoke the same language helped me to familiarize more easily with the other members of the group, to not feel on my own, to tie with them and to be more willing to share experiences and feelings.

Common goal (n = 5)

I feel that our common goal tied us more and ‘‘opened us’’ so we can talk more without fear and prejudice.

The provision of hope (n = 2)

Seeing people at different stages and having achieved goals, I gained hope and eventually believed that smoking cessation is something realistic and doable.

Lack of criticism (n = 5)

Criticism should make me angry and cause my reaction. Instead, tips showed real interest and mobilized me.

Active listening (n = 4)

The feeling that some people listen and understand me, made me feel even better, to open more and be willing to share more and more things with them.

Function

Support (n = 5)

The support of the other members of the team gave me strength and courage to go on.

Cooperation (n = 7)

The collaboration helped me to better understand the other team members and the ways they go on in the quitting process.

The acquaintance of new people (n = 6)

The acquaintance of new people, that are at the same phase as me was helpful. I felt that I am not myself.

Acceptance and respect (n = 1)

A key component of the good team-term operation was that there was unconditional acceptance and respect from everyone and to everyone.

The feeling of not being alone

(n = 1)

That I did not feel alone was the most important help from group counselling.

Teamwork (n=2)

Teamwork help me to be more motivated, committed, and determined to face more seriously my attempt.

The good coordination (n = 1)

The fact that there was a good coordination, that all had space and time to be listened and exchange views, contributed to a better functioning of the group.