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The collective emotion of mentally ill individuals within Facebook groups during Covid-19 pandemic

Nava Rothschild (Department of Information Science, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel)
Jonathan Schler (Department of Computer Science, Holon Institute of Technology, Holon, Israel)
David Sarne (Department of Computer Science, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel)
Noa Aharony (Department of Information Science, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel)

Aslib Journal of Information Management

ISSN: 2050-3806

Article publication date: 28 February 2024

56

Abstract

Purpose

People with pre-existing mental health conditions are more likely to be affected by global crises. The Covid-19 pandemic has presented them with unique challenges, including reduced contact with the psychiatric rehabilitation and support systems. Thus, understanding the emotional experience of this population may assist mental health organizations in future global crises.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, researchers analyzed the discourse of the mentally ill during the Covid-19 pandemic, as reflected in Israeli Facebook groups: three private groups and one public group. Researchers explored the language, reactions, emotions and sentiments used in these groups during the year before the pandemic, outbreak periods and remission periods, as well as the period before the vaccine’s introduction and after its appearance.

Findings

Analyzing groups’ discourse using the collective emotion theory suggests that the group that expressed the most significant difficulty was the Depression group, while individuals who suffer from social phobia/anxiety and PTSD were less affected during the lockdowns and restrictions forced by the outbreak.

Originality/value

Findings may serve as a tool for service providers during crises to monitor patients’ conditions, and assist individuals who need support and help.

Keywords

Citation

Rothschild, N., Schler, J., Sarne, D. and Aharony, N. (2024), "The collective emotion of mentally ill individuals within Facebook groups during Covid-19 pandemic", Aslib Journal of Information Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-08-2023-0320

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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