DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14574853
title: Transcripts of Qualitative Interviews on Diaphragmatic Breathing (aka BOX Breathing) and Anxiety Reduction

description: This file contains the full, anonymised transcripts of 10 interviews conducted as part of a qualitative research study on the impact of diaphragmatic breathing on anxiety reduction. The interviews explore participants’ experiences with diaphragmatic breathing exercises, including perceived benefits, challenges, and changes in anxiety levels.

In line with BPS guidelines and to protect participants' privacy, all data has been anonymised, and the names used are fictitious, in accordance with ethical standards to ensure participant confidentiality.

These transcripts are provided for secondary qualitative analysis, enabling researchers to apply different software tools or coding techniques to further explore the dataset.

Suggested Applications:



Textual analysis using qualitative data analysis software (e.g., Atlas.ti, NVivo, MAXQDA).

Thematic or content analysis with alternative coding frameworks.

Comparative analysis across qualitative methods.


Ethical Use:Please ensure that any use of these transcripts aligns with ethical research guidelines and includes proper attribution to the original study.

For further information or queries, contact the author
description: Please note that, in line with BPS guidelines and to protect participants' privacy, all data has been anonymised, and the names used are fictitious.

Key demographic insights include:



Gender Distribution: 50% male and 50% female.

Age:



Average age is 27.9 years.

Minimum age is 18 years.

Maximum age is 48 years.







Name
Age
Gender
Occupation
Primary Stressor


Anna
22
Female
Cashier
Single motherhood and divorce


Samuel
19
Male
University Student
University transition


Mia
27
Female
Graphic Designer
Relationship stress


Ali
20
Male
Engineering Student
Family separation and studies


Gregory
25
Male
Programmer
Work demands


Maria
48
Female
Grocery Store Employee
Caregiving for parent with dementia


Jack
23
Male
Recent Graduate
Job search and interviews


Rachel
32
Female
Nurse
Balancing work and studies


Ahmed
18
Male
High School Graduate
Transition to university


Linda
45
Female
Cashier
Financial difficulties and depression




 

 
description: Codebook for themes

    




Theme



Code



Sample Excerpt



Sentiment





Stressors and Challenges



Chronic work-related anxiety



I’ve struggled with anxiety for years, especially at work when deadlines pile up.



Negative





Stressors and Challenges



Struggles with transitioning to university life



Starting university has been a big step, and I'm finding it hard to keep up with everything.



Negative





Stressors and Challenges



Relationship stress contributing to anxiety



The uncertainty in my relationship leaves me anxious and unable to focus.



Negative





Stressors and Challenges



Worry about family due to unstable home country



I constantly worry about my family's safety back home amidst the instability.



Negative





Stressors and Challenges



High-pressure work environment as stressor



My job involves handling critical clients, which keeps me stressed all the time.



Negative





Stressors and Challenges



Emotional toll of caregiving for a parent with dementia



Caring for my parent feels like an endless challenge, emotionally and physically.



Negative





Stressors and Challenges



Fear of judgment during job interviews



Interviews make me feel judged and incredibly self-conscious.



Negative





Stressors and Challenges



Overwhelming demands of balancing multiple roles



Balancing work, school, and family leaves me exhausted every day.



Negative





Stressors and Challenges



Anxiety about academic success during transition to university



I’m constantly worrying if I’ll be able to keep up with my studies.



Negative





Stressors and Challenges



Overwhelming sense of hopelessness due to life circumstances



My challenges feel insurmountable, and I don’t see a way out.



Negative





Effectiveness and Benefits of Breathing



Perceived improvement in emotional control



Over time, I started feeling calmer and more in control during stressful moments.



Positive





Effectiveness and Benefits of Breathing



Positive impact of breathing on evening stress



Doing the breathing exercises every evening has helped me manage the stress better.



Positive





Effectiveness and Benefits of Breathing



Positive use of box breathing in conflict situations



During arguments, breathing exercises helped me stay calm and composed.



Positive





Effectiveness and Benefits of Breathing



Reduction in severity of anxiety spirals



I still feel anxious, but the exercises prevent it from spiralling out of control.



Positive





Effectiveness and Benefits of Breathing



Improved management of anxiety despite persistent worries



Even with ongoing stress, I feel more equipped to handle it.



Neutral





Effectiveness and Benefits of Breathing



Strategic use of breathing during commute and meetings



Using breathing during my commute and before meetings has been a game-changer.



Positive





Effectiveness and Benefits of Breathing



Temporary relief from stress through breathing practice



Breathing gives me short bursts of relief when I need it most.



Positive





Effectiveness and Benefits of Breathing



Nighttime breathing to reduce anxiety and improve sleep



Focusing on my breath before bed helps me fall asleep faster.



Positive





Effectiveness and Benefits of Breathing



Perceived control over anxiety through breathing



Breathing exercises give me a sense of control over my anxiety.



Positive





Effectiveness and Benefits of Breathing



Breathing as a tool to prevent emotional breakdown



They stop me from reaching a breaking point during high-stress moments.



Positive





Limitations and Barriers



Initial scepticism about intervention



The first week was challenging because I wasn’t sure if the breathing exercises would work.



Neutral





Limitations and Barriers



Breathing as ineffective in addressing severe challenges



For my severe stress, the exercises felt like a drop in the ocean.



Negative





Limitations and Barriers



Persistence in trying despite perceived lack of results



Even when I didn’t feel improvement, I kept trying because I wanted it to work.



Neutral





Limitations and Barriers



Acknowledgement of need for clinical intervention



I realised that breathing exercises aren’t enough and I need professional help.



Negative





Limitations and Barriers



Perception of breathing as helpful but not exhaustive



It helps, but I know it’s not a solution for everything I face.



Neutral





Empowerment and Coping



Empowerment through having a coping mechanism



I still have moments of anxiety, but I feel like I have a tool to manage it now.



Positive





Empowerment and Coping



Grounding effect of structured breathing



Breathing helps me feel centred and present, even in chaos.



Positive





Empowerment and Coping



Use of breathing to maintain composure during crises



During a caregiving crisis, the exercises kept me composed.



Positive





Empowerment and Coping



Effective pre-presentation use of breathing exercises



Before a big presentation, breathing helped calm my nerves and focus.



Positive





Empowerment and Coping



Improved resilience to job-related rejection



While rejections still hurt, I handle them better because of the exercises.



Neutral





Empowerment and Coping



Use of breathing as a stress reset mechanism



Taking a few moments to breathe resets my mood and energy.



Neutral





Empowerment and Coping



Breathing as a tool for navigating transitional stress



It’s a simple but effective way to navigate big life changes.



Neutral