Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40504595›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being2025

What people with stress-related disorders experience as being supportive for recovery - a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

Hanna Tuvesson, A Birgitta Gunnarsson, Markus Sjösten, Viktor Carlsson, Sara Holmberg, Petra Wagman, Cecilia Fagerström, Ulrica Hörberg

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Hanna TuvessonFaculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0003-1020-5141
A Birgitta GunnarssonDepartment of Research and Development, Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-6976-5154
Markus SjöstenFaculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-7471-7739
Viktor CarlssonRegional Department of Competence in Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-5750-0474
Sara HolmbergDepartment of Research and Development, Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0003-2334-6103
Petra WagmanSchool of Health and Welfare, Department of Rehabilitation, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-7964-7143
Cecilia FagerströmFaculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-4257-282X
Ulrica HörbergFaculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-8115-5359

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeProlonged stress leading to sick leave is a serious health problem, and it is crucial to find ways to support recovery. The aim of this review was to synthesize the results from qualitative research about what people with stress-related disorders experience as supportive for recovery.

methodsThe systematic review was designed as a qualitative meta-synthesis following the recommendations by Walsh and Downe. Our search across PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycInfo identified 20 articles that met the inclusion criteria. These articles were subsequently assessed for quality and analysed.

resultsThree themes were identified that describe what people with stress-related disorders experience as supportive for recovery: ´Engaging and authentic atmospheres-an essentiality for recovery`, ´Pursuing an empowered and hopeful self`, and ´Embracing the continuous demanding quest for personal growth`. Recovery from stress-related disorders can be supported by giving each person the opportunity to grow and pursue an empowered and hopeful self. This requires time and support in an engaging and authentic atmosphere. Having the possibility for existential reflection, learning and exploring through various activities is important.

conclusionOur findings show the importance of formal support that patiently stimulates existential reflection and learning in a non-demanding environment. Implementing activities in clinical practice that stimulate such a process, and which can be adapted to each person's needs and preferences could be beneficial.

Indexed as

Social SupportStress, PsychologicalAdaptation, PsychologicalHumansQualitative ResearchBurnoutexhaustioninterviewsmeta-synthesisqualitative methodsremissionsick-leave

Identifiers

PMID40504595
PMCPMC12164390

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.