Table 2 Adolescents’ Responses to Semi-Structured Interview N = 39
Key Concept | Post-Intervention n (%) | Follow-up n (%) | Representative Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
How did the Mind-Body Skills Group help you? | |||
Skills or Activities | 19 (49) | 15 (38) | “All the skills they taught us really did help once we applied them. They did help us all cope with certain things.” |
Outcomes | 15 (38) | 15 (38) | “...it helped me relax and figure out why I was always upset … It helps me relax and stay in control.” |
Socializing and Connection to Others | 16 (41) | 11 (28) | “I feel very connected with the people in the group. This connection with people helped me because I know I have someone to count on.” |
Other | 4 (10) | 6 (15) | “They taught us skills, but they didn’t help as much with me. Maybe for others, but not me.” |
What was the most important and interesting part of the group? | |||
Skills or Activities | 28 (72) | 17 (44) | “Going each week and learning a new skill was interesting because it taught me how to handle being overwhelmed with emotions.” |
Drawing | 9 (23) | 4 (10) | “The drawings on week 1 and week 10. It revealed a lot about each and every kid in there.” |
Meditation | 4 (10) | 7 (18) | “The meditation. It helped me focus more on things and made me feel calm.” |
Soft Belly Breathing | 4 (10) | 0 (0) | “It was also interesting to see how the breathing helped everyone.” |
Socializing and Connection to Others | 22 (56) | 24 (62) | “Hearing other people’s stories. The fact that other people go through the same type of stuff. It makes me feel like I don’t want anything to happen to them, and they feel the same towards me.” |
Other | 5 (8) | 4 (10) | “Learning how to have a mind and body connection was the most interesting.” |
How has your life or outlook of the world changed? | |||
More Positive Thinking/Less Negative Thoughts | 15 (39) | 17 (44)* | “I have become more hopeful and I feel like I have better chances for my future.” |
Socializing and Connection with Others | 15 (39) | 16 (41)* | “Before I felt that people didn’t like me. But now I have learned how to communicate and relate with others. Feels like I have more friends now”. |
Increased Self-Worth | 6 (16) | 3 (8)* | “The groups helped me realize I matter more than I thought”. |
Increased Emotional Regulation | 6 (16) | 5 (13)* | “I’m more calm and can control my emotional distress. I don’t feel as lost as I did before.” |
Unsure if Helped | 4 (11) | 2 (5)* | It really allowed me to understand things in my life from a different perspective but didn’t really change how I felt about them.” |
Did Not Help | 3 (8) | 5 (13)* | “I feel stuck in the middle of things. I can see two sides of life, but I don’t know which side to choose.” |
Reduced Suicidal Ideation | 3 (8) | 2 (5)* | “I don’t feel like killing myself at all…” |
Other | 3 (8) | 6 (15)* | “I don’t like expressing my feelings.” |