Table 6 Characteristics and example of Subtype C2

Characteristics of Subtype C2: Longitudinal case approach

- The aim is to describe trajectories, patterns, or profiles of change through time

- Changes in individuals or cases are the focus

- The analysis is conducted partly at an individual level, with data from each participant/case being viewed across time

- The results are organized in descriptions of the changing trajectories for subgroups of participants or cases with different changing trajectories. Each subgroup/case is described from baseline and onward

Example: Foster and colleagues [31] explored parents’ psychosocial trajectories in the 12 months following their child’s critical injury. Twenty-seven parents were interviewed on three occasions, and data were analyzed with a longitudinal within- and across-case thematic analysis. Three different trajectories were presented in the results: Resilient trajectory (6 parents), Recovery trajectory (13 parents), and Distressed trajectory (8 parents). First, each trajectory was described generally, and thereafter, an example of a parent’s journey was provided in detail. The authors also used statistical tests to investigate associations between the parents’ trajectories and marital status, working status, and type/severity of the child’s injury but found no associations