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How participation in Covid-19 mutual aid groups affects subjective well-being and how political identity moderates these effects
Version 2 2023-06-12, 09:59
Version 1 2023-06-10, 00:44
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-12, 09:59 authored by Guanlan Mao, John DruryJohn Drury, Maria Fernandes-JesusMaria Fernandes-Jesus, Evangelos NtontisMutual aid groups have flourished during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, a major challenge is sustaining such groups, which tend to decline following the initial upsurge immediately after emergencies. The present study investigates one possible motivation for continued participation: the well-being benefits associated with psychological membership of groups, as suggested by the “social cure” approach. Interviews were conducted with 11 volunteers in a mutual aid group organized by ACORN, a community union and anti-poverty campaigning organization. Through qualitative analysis, we show that participation provided well-being in different ways: positive emotional experiences, increased engagement in life, improved social relationships, and greater sense of control. Participants also reported some negative emotional experiences. While all interviewees experienced benefits from participation, those who viewed their participation through a political lens were able to experience additional benefits such as feelings of empowerment. Moreover, the benefits conferred by a shared political identity appeared to be qualitatively different from the benefits conferred by other forms of shared identity. The interview data is used to hypothesize an overall process by which participants may come to attain a political identity via mutual aid. These findings have implications for how such groups retain their members and how authorities support these groups.
Funding
Facilitating the public response to COVID-19 by harnessing group processes; G3017; UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION; ES/V005381/1
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Analyses of Social Issues and Public PolicyISSN
1529-7489Publisher
WileyExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
21Page range
1082-1112Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2021-08-26First Open Access (FOA) Date
2021-11-09First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-08-25Usage metrics
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