2.4. Qualitative data analysis

All interviews were transcribed verbatim by the first author, a trained masters level research assistant or a trained undergraduate research assistant. Thematic analyses were then conducted to synthesize the qualitative data through the identification and description of major patterns across responses into identifying themes (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Thematic analyses began with the independent coding of each transcript by the first author and a trained master’s level research assistant. Codes were then reviewed independently and grouped into initial themes by each coder. Themes were defined as significant ideas capturing something important about the data in relation to the overarching research question(s) driving the study and/or representing consistent patterns across individuals’ responses. All identified themes were then reviewed by the first author for discrepancies or inconsistencies in categorization requiring clarification. Inconsistencies were discussed collaboratively between the two coders and a doctoral level psychologist with expertise in ACT who was not interviewed for the current project. Major themes and sub-themes were finalized and agreed upon by the research team to illicit an overall depiction of the qualitative data set. Core themes are identified within the results section below, some containing a unique set of sub-themes which were then classified at a further level of description.