The impact of the Caremongering social media movement: A convergent parallel mixed-methods study.
Valerie BishopDaryl BainbridgeShilpa KumarAllison M WilliamsMadelyn LawBarbara PesutHarvey ChochinovHsien SeowPublished in: Health & social care in the community (2022)
Public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as business restrictions, social distancing and lockdowns, had social and economic impacts on individuals and communities. Caremongering Facebook groups spread across Canada to support vulnerable individuals by providing a forum for sharing information and offering assistance. We sought to understand the specific impacts of Caremongering groups on individuals 1 year after the pandemic began. We used a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach that included semi-structured interviews with group moderators from 16 Caremongering groups and survey data from 165 group members. We used a constant comparative approach for thematic analysis of interview transcripts and open-ended text responses to the survey. We used source theme tables as joint displays to integrate interview and survey findings. Our results revealed five major themes: providing food, sharing information, supporting health and wellness, acquiring goods and services (non-food), and connecting communities. Respondents of our survey tended to be 35-65 years of age range, but reported helping adults of all ages. Our findings illustrate the potential of using a social media platform to connect with others and provide and access support. The Caremongering initiative demonstrates a community-driven, social media solution to issues such as isolation, loneliness and community health promotion.
Keyphrases
- social media
- health information
- healthcare
- mental health
- public health
- health promotion
- cross sectional
- human health
- sars cov
- primary care
- minimally invasive
- randomized controlled trial
- single cell
- climate change
- machine learning
- high throughput
- smoking cessation
- social support
- risk assessment
- quality improvement
- health insurance
- global health
- depressive symptoms
- solid state
- data analysis