Table 2 Theme 1 results on ‘Restrictions’ with subthemes, categories, and examples

Restrictions

The kind of difficulties that make engagement in research challenging

Subthemes

Categories

Participant testimonies

Social participation (3)

Poor relationships (3)

Social isolation (2)

[I.I] “Like…And there were many people that tell me things like…. that I did not call you because I thought you could not speak…”

Difficulties (6)

Writing difficulties (5)

Slow reading (3)

World finding difficulties (3)

Stuttering (1)

Swallowing difficulties (1)

[L.L] “For example, when I write email, maybe it's a simple email 2 sentences or 5 sentences. And then I have to reread, reread, reread. And I have [short pause] write down the few words. The one sentence, if it's short sentences [short pause] long sentences […] I can write it but i i can i need to reread, reread, reread, reread, and I send my documents also my the mother of my girlfriend. And she checked the words the sentence. I guess I I have problem… I know, I know, don't have problems with sin… syntax. But when I write long sentence”

[A.A] “ I having difficulty in participating in the group when writing something […] Yes yes.. eehh okay and if it’s a difficult, for example article, I can read them but I will need much more time”

[L.L] “ [Discussing about group engagement] there is two problems. My aphasia and also my [short pause] I can say it in French [short pause] (Participant raises his hemiplegic hand to the screen)”

[J.J] “[..] but you have just to know, that I'm not very good with typing. So, for me to return an email, maybe takes a day or two”

[V.V] “When in a group you and you can’t remember the name of this also, or the name of this intellectual or precise things like this and its challenging…”

Commuting (2)

Restrictions in driving (1)

Traveling limitations (2)

[M.M] “I haven’t travelled yet, and I don’t know if I would ever can do it [long pause] I don’t know, it’s difficult, I need support”

[C.C] “I cannot take the car…nor the bus. It takes time [long pause] tired. Maybe do meetings online”’

[A.A] “I need someone to take me to places..with aphasia is difficult to drive [short pause] home visit is better for research”

Other restrictions (6)

Time management (6)

Health (4)

[L.L] “And I don't think that I will be a partner [short pause] fully, fully, because my work and my work my, my [short pause] time”

[M.M] “Time is always an issue. You see I have my lectures, research and family also. Maybe not full-time research partner”

[V.V] “I think what is very difficult to me to be in group. I had the stroke when I was 40 and my kids were kids. And so, when I came back I was lucky that I had very light consequences, but I have to manage somehow my real state of fatigue. It’s difficult to attend long meetings… it makes me more tired”