| Content of interaction | Outcomes from groups | Mechanisms which explain benefit | Factor which influences benefit |
| Openness of sharing personal lived experience | Increased knowledge or understanding of cancer | Use of metaphor helped reframe suffering―enabled learning― | Space where openness is possible ―prevented in other interactions |
| Use of humour | Shared understanding of coping―shared strategies | Group can allow self-directed content | Domination of one member of the group |
| Real or lived interaction |
| Allows a space for emotions to be expressed | Being able to express suffering |
| Sharing loss | Negative experience having shared information used inappropriately | Understanding of coping behaviours increases | Other stakeholders /Facilitator sharing personal information― allowed or gave permission to open up |
| Personal difficulties revealed | Increase in valuable/trusted relationships | Lack of judgement given on any sharing | Negative experience―not wanting to share opening |
| Hopes, fears, losses | Introduction of hope | Others feel really heard |
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| How challenges are overcome | Increase in activities | Knowing someone else is experience what they are going through― validation of suffering |
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| Reaffirming a sense of self and self identity | Decrease blame on themselves |
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| Sense of control | No perceived need to fix problems |
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| Impact on emotional well being | Reaffirming a sense of self and self identity |
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| Social well being | Use of humour |
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| Legitimise experiences | Unity in sharing |
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| Enhanced interactions, activities or accomplishments | Getting past stereotypes of others― towards what their lives are like |
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| Silence facilitated interaction, enabled sharing, some were unhappy with the silence |
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