Effects on strategy
EVENTS, DISEASE
Strategy assesses an individual’s ability to implement emotional regulation strategies in a negative emotional context. A large majority of participants (87%, 98/112) reported having implemented new emotional regulation strategies. We identified either cognitive (77%, 86/112) or behavioural strategies (74%, 83/112).Among the most quoted cognitive strategies was the ability to put things into perspectives, with a greater focus on positive aspects of their life (51%, 58/112). The participants described a more positive relationship to their body and disease, but also a better future outlook (68%, 77/112) (verbatim 6). Most of the participants (84%, 94/112) reported an increased self-awareness of their aspirations, deep needs, values and capacities for action (verbatim 7). Regarding engagement in new behaviours, several participants (38%, 42/112) talked about making important decisions to meet their deepest needs and aspirations (verbatim 8).Among the behavioural strategies, breathing techniques were used by the majority of the participants (58%, 65/112). The participants also kept using in their daily life techniques learned during the interventions: meditation, yoga, singing, self-massages, Pilates, drawing, and writing (verbatim 9). Another new strategy implemented by the patients was emotion expression. For example, 69% (77/112) of the participants allowed themselves to feel and express their emotions more often, without repressing them, in particular by letting themselves cry. During the 6 months that lasted the interventions, 35% (39/112) of the participants were able to release previously repressed emotions, often related to past psycho-traumatic life events (verbatim 10). Finally, 57% of the participants (64/112) reported new relational strategies by being more assertive, communicating their emotions better and expressing their needs or disagreements (verbatim 11).