Research into responses to mass emergencies (such as disasters and terrorist attacks) shows that ... more Research into responses to mass emergencies (such as disasters and terrorist attacks) shows that those affected can behave much more resiliently than is often expected. Furthermore, evidence from a range of emergencies suggests that the notion of vulnerable behaviour (such as ‘mass panic’) is a myth that is not supported by detailed exploration of how people behave. Instead, a Social Identity Model of Collective Resilience (SIMCR) is suggested, where co-operative behaviour is the normative response. The SIMCR suggests that such resilience can develop as a result of a social identity that emerges from shared experiences of adversity, and is similar to recent theoretical developments in the field that argue for a more community-oriented approach to resilience. Furthermore, such shared experiences may have a beneficial role in helping those exposed to adversity, in that such common identities can help survivors support each other and reduce the risk of psychological trauma. Recent literature from the fields of Social Psychology and Resilience are explored, and the benefits of such mutual social support are discussed. Finally, the implications for emergency planning and management are discussed, with practical suggestions for how such collective resilience can be encouraged in disaster preparation and response.
Research into responses to mass emergencies (such as disasters and terrorist attacks) shows that ... more Research into responses to mass emergencies (such as disasters and terrorist attacks) shows that those affected can behave much more resiliently than is often expected. Furthermore, evidence from a range of emergencies suggests that the notion of vulnerable behaviour (such as ‘mass panic’) is a myth that is not supported by detailed exploration of how people behave. Instead, a Social Identity Model of Collective Resilience (SIMCR) is suggested, where co-operative behaviour is the normative response. The SIMCR suggests that such resilience can develop as a result of a social identity that emerges from shared experiences of adversity, and is similar to recent theoretical developments in the field that argue for a more community-oriented approach to resilience. Furthermore, such shared experiences may have a beneficial role in helping those exposed to adversity, in that such common identities can help survivors support each other and reduce the risk of psychological trauma. Recent literature from the fields of Social Psychology and Resilience are explored, and the benefits of such mutual social support are discussed. Finally, the implications for emergency planning and management are discussed, with practical suggestions for how such collective resilience can be encouraged in disaster preparation and response.
Despite undeniable hardship, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also saw an outpour of community ... more Despite undeniable hardship, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also saw an outpour of community solidarity and mutual aid towards those in need. This study explored why people participated in mutual aid during the pandemic as well as the factors that contributed to continued involvement and/or its decline. We conducted remote interviews with 17 people in South-east England who had been involved in volunteering and local community mutual aid support groups during the first UK lockdown from March to May 2020. Using thematic analysis, we identified two themes: 1) The emergence of social groups and their psychosocial effects, and 2) Enduring connections and barriers to continued participation. Participants often reported an emergent shared identity, preferring the localised nature of these groups and the associated mutual nature of support. They also reported intentions to continue providing such support, should the need arise again, and any barriers to continued involvement in mutual ...
Mutual aid groups have been a critical part of the Covid-19 response and continue to address the ... more Mutual aid groups have been a critical part of the Covid-19 response and continue to address the needs of people in their communities. To understand how mutual aid and similar community support groups can be sustained over time, we test the idea that using group-based strategies, such as interacting with other organizations, initiates psychological trajectories that shape future participation. We conducted a pre-registered longitudinal survey among Covid-19 mutual aid and community support volunteers in the UK (nWave 1 = 600, May 2021; nWave2 = 299, July-August, 2021). Assessments included measures of group-based strategies, collective participation predictors (e.g., sense of community responsibility), participation experience (e.g., positive affect), and sustained participation. Volunteers engaged in a wide range of support activities including shopping, emotional support provision, and deliveries. Two group-based strategies – group alliances and group horizontality – longitudinall...
Despite undeniable hardship, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also saw an outpour of community ... more Despite undeniable hardship, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also saw an outpour of community solidarity and mutual aid towards those in need. This study explored why people participated in mutual aid, as well as the factors that contributed to continued involvement and/or its decline. We conducted remote interviews with 18 people in South-east England who had been involved in volunteering and local community support groups during the first UK lockdown from March to May 2020. Using thematic approaches to data analysis, we identified two broad themes: 1) Shared social identities and mutual support, and 2) Enduring connections and barriers to continued participation. Participants often reported an emergent shared identity, preferring the localised nature of these groups and the associated mutual nature of support. They also reported intentions to continue providing such support, should the need arise again, and any barriers to continued involvement in mutual aid were better explain...
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of mutual aid groups were established on social ... more At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of mutual aid groups were established on social media and operated as platforms through which people could offer or request social support. Considering the importance of Facebook mutual aid groups during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom but also the lack of empirical research regarding the trajectories and types of social support rendered available through the groups, our aims in this paper are threefold; first, to examine the trajectory of social support-related activity during the period between March – December 2020; second, to compare offers and requests of support during the peaks of the first and second waves; third to provide a rich analysis of the types of social support that were offered or requested through the online mutual aid groups. Quantitative findings suggest that online social support activity declined soon after the peak of the first pandemic wave and, at least in Facebook mutual aid groups, did not reach the levels observed during the first wave. Also, the number of offers of support during the first wave was higher compared to offers during the second wave, and similar was the case for requests for support. Additionally, offers for support were higher compared to requests for support during both the first and second waves. Finally, qualitative analysis showed that people used the Facebook mutual aid groups to offer and request various types of practical, emotional, and informational support. Limitations as well as implications of our study are considered.
Research into responses to mass emergencies (such as disasters and terrorist attacks) shows that ... more Research into responses to mass emergencies (such as disasters and terrorist attacks) shows that those affected can behave much more resiliently than is often expected. Furthermore, evidence from a range of emergencies suggests that the notion of vulnerable behaviour (such as ‘mass panic’) is a myth that is not supported by detailed exploration of how people behave. Instead, a Social Identity Model of Collective Resilience (SIMCR) is suggested, where co-operative behaviour is the normative response. The SIMCR suggests that such resilience can develop as a result of a social identity that emerges from shared experiences of adversity, and is similar to recent theoretical developments in the field that argue for a more community-oriented approach to resilience. Furthermore, such shared experiences may have a beneficial role in helping those exposed to adversity, in that such common identities can help survivors support each other and reduce the risk of psychological trauma. Recent literature from the fields of Social Psychology and Resilience are explored, and the benefits of such mutual social support are discussed. Finally, the implications for emergency planning and management are discussed, with practical suggestions for how such collective resilience can be encouraged in disaster preparation and response.
Research into responses to mass emergencies (such as disasters and terrorist attacks) shows that ... more Research into responses to mass emergencies (such as disasters and terrorist attacks) shows that those affected can behave much more resiliently than is often expected. Furthermore, evidence from a range of emergencies suggests that the notion of vulnerable behaviour (such as ‘mass panic’) is a myth that is not supported by detailed exploration of how people behave. Instead, a Social Identity Model of Collective Resilience (SIMCR) is suggested, where co-operative behaviour is the normative response. The SIMCR suggests that such resilience can develop as a result of a social identity that emerges from shared experiences of adversity, and is similar to recent theoretical developments in the field that argue for a more community-oriented approach to resilience. Furthermore, such shared experiences may have a beneficial role in helping those exposed to adversity, in that such common identities can help survivors support each other and reduce the risk of psychological trauma. Recent literature from the fields of Social Psychology and Resilience are explored, and the benefits of such mutual social support are discussed. Finally, the implications for emergency planning and management are discussed, with practical suggestions for how such collective resilience can be encouraged in disaster preparation and response.
Despite undeniable hardship, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also saw an outpour of community ... more Despite undeniable hardship, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also saw an outpour of community solidarity and mutual aid towards those in need. This study explored why people participated in mutual aid during the pandemic as well as the factors that contributed to continued involvement and/or its decline. We conducted remote interviews with 17 people in South-east England who had been involved in volunteering and local community mutual aid support groups during the first UK lockdown from March to May 2020. Using thematic analysis, we identified two themes: 1) The emergence of social groups and their psychosocial effects, and 2) Enduring connections and barriers to continued participation. Participants often reported an emergent shared identity, preferring the localised nature of these groups and the associated mutual nature of support. They also reported intentions to continue providing such support, should the need arise again, and any barriers to continued involvement in mutual ...
Mutual aid groups have been a critical part of the Covid-19 response and continue to address the ... more Mutual aid groups have been a critical part of the Covid-19 response and continue to address the needs of people in their communities. To understand how mutual aid and similar community support groups can be sustained over time, we test the idea that using group-based strategies, such as interacting with other organizations, initiates psychological trajectories that shape future participation. We conducted a pre-registered longitudinal survey among Covid-19 mutual aid and community support volunteers in the UK (nWave 1 = 600, May 2021; nWave2 = 299, July-August, 2021). Assessments included measures of group-based strategies, collective participation predictors (e.g., sense of community responsibility), participation experience (e.g., positive affect), and sustained participation. Volunteers engaged in a wide range of support activities including shopping, emotional support provision, and deliveries. Two group-based strategies – group alliances and group horizontality – longitudinall...
Despite undeniable hardship, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also saw an outpour of community ... more Despite undeniable hardship, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also saw an outpour of community solidarity and mutual aid towards those in need. This study explored why people participated in mutual aid, as well as the factors that contributed to continued involvement and/or its decline. We conducted remote interviews with 18 people in South-east England who had been involved in volunteering and local community support groups during the first UK lockdown from March to May 2020. Using thematic approaches to data analysis, we identified two broad themes: 1) Shared social identities and mutual support, and 2) Enduring connections and barriers to continued participation. Participants often reported an emergent shared identity, preferring the localised nature of these groups and the associated mutual nature of support. They also reported intentions to continue providing such support, should the need arise again, and any barriers to continued involvement in mutual aid were better explain...
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of mutual aid groups were established on social ... more At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of mutual aid groups were established on social media and operated as platforms through which people could offer or request social support. Considering the importance of Facebook mutual aid groups during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom but also the lack of empirical research regarding the trajectories and types of social support rendered available through the groups, our aims in this paper are threefold; first, to examine the trajectory of social support-related activity during the period between March – December 2020; second, to compare offers and requests of support during the peaks of the first and second waves; third to provide a rich analysis of the types of social support that were offered or requested through the online mutual aid groups. Quantitative findings suggest that online social support activity declined soon after the peak of the first pandemic wave and, at least in Facebook mutual aid groups, did not reach the levels observed during the first wave. Also, the number of offers of support during the first wave was higher compared to offers during the second wave, and similar was the case for requests for support. Additionally, offers for support were higher compared to requests for support during both the first and second waves. Finally, qualitative analysis showed that people used the Facebook mutual aid groups to offer and request various types of practical, emotional, and informational support. Limitations as well as implications of our study are considered.
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