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Table 2 Table of themes, categories and codes

From: Emotion management and stereotypes about emotions among male nurses: a qualitative study

Theme

Stereotypes in the emotional aspects of care

Codes

▪ Nursing is a women’s profession

▪ Care is associated with females

▪ Comfort can be offered in different ways

▪ Innate characteristics of women: sweetness, the use of touch in care

▪ Naturally acquired maternal role

▪ More relaxed male nurses’ attitude in the therapeutic relationship

▪ Male nurses show their emotional needs less

Theme

Emotion management strategies

Category

Emotional distancing

Setting boundaries

Relativising problems

Using distraction and humour

Codes

▪ Not feeling part of the work environment

▪ Getting involved is harmful

▪ Getting involved is unprofessional

▪ Learning affective touch

▪ Not taking work home

▪ Not creating personal ties with patients/family

▪ Minimising the importance of work problems

▪ To relativise is to protect oneself emotionally

▪ Men relativise better than women

▪ Humour facilitates therapeutic relationship

▪ Play and distraction are useful in caring for children

▪ Greater sense of humour

▪ Greater use of play and distraction