Data Analysis

Two researchers (PV and CP) used the SPSS software (version 28.0). A repeated measures analysis of ANOVA was used on the instruments with three data collection points. Using Cohen's d, the effect size of the mean differences was verified. The analysis of the data was completed using non-parametric tests, the Wilcoxon rank test for repeated measurements and the Mann–Whitney U test for mean comparisons between groups. In all cases, a p-value < 0.05 was considered to reject the null hypothesis.

Three independent researchers (SA, PV, and CP) used the Atlas.ti (version 9.1) to make the analysis of the narratives and to create category groups, which were analyzed. The content analysis technique was used. This began with an exhaustive reading of the transcripts of the first interviews with each participant, carried out by the first author. After this reading, the material was coded, and the quotations were grouped in relation to their similarity and in relation to the objective of the study, through several discussions between the researchers. Based on these discussions, preliminary groups of codes were generated, which were compared by the researchers until reaching more central themes. Ten PSWs, who completed the project from start to finish, participated in the focus groups. Twelve professionals participated in the online questionnaires evaluating their participation in the program. Twenty-one service users participated in the focus groups.

The mixed method used was the convergent parallel design (26). The triangulation of the qualitative and quantitative findings facilitated the understanding of the results and showed its coherence and lack of contradictions. It is a methodology that allows the convergence of different data: beneficial to provide confirmation of findings, more complete data, greater validity, and better understanding of the studied phenomena (27). A methodological triangulation was carried out. When using different methods in triangulation, the aim is to analyze the same phenomenon through different approaches.