Theoretical and methodological approaches to activism during the COVID-19 pandemic— between continuity and change

In order to understand the way in which scholars approach the study of activism at a time of crisis, a scoping review was conducted to identify the extant empirical work on activism during the COVID-19 crisis. Our search resulted in 23 published papers across disciplines. Results showed elements of continuity and change in scholars' theoretical and empirical approaches to new and old forms of activism emerging at this time of crisis. In general, we found that COVID-19 led to the employment of novel and adaptive approaches from both the activists and the researchers, who tactically modified their strategies in light of the new demands. We conclude by suggesting that incorporating an analysis of the tools of protest, combined with an analysis of the adaptive strategies adopted by communities at a time of crisis might further our understanding of the ontology—as well as the epistemology—of social movements. Moreover, the study highlighted existing tensions between academia and other social stakeholders, which deserve further exploration. Copyright © 2022 Coen, Vezzoli and Zogmaister.

THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF MND PATIENTS

Background Motor neurone disease (MND) is an isolating condition that has many implications on patients mental health. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with chronic health conditions, including those with MND, have been further removed from the support of their specialist teams. Objectives 1) To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the Salford Royal MND patients. 2) To improve the mental health support offered by the service by addressing patient concerns and feedback. Methods A survey was sent to patients who had been receiving care by the Salford Royal MND Team since the 1st of January, 2020. The answers were reviewed and measures were put in place to address concerns. Patients were resurveyed two months later and answers were compared. Results Patients reported a higher proportion of issues with their mental health during the pandemic compared to prior. The service was seen as doing adequately but areas were identified to address. Our interventions were largely successful with many patients reporting an increase in the support they receive from the Salford Royal MND Team. Conclusions Areas of improvement were identified to accommodate the change in the way the Salford Royal MND Team deliver their care.

The Construction of a Hegemonic Social Representation: Climate Crisis and the Role of COVID-19 in Defining Survival

The present paper discusses how climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic can be read as two facets of a Hegemonic Social Representation (HSR) under construction, the representation of survival, reshaping other hegemonic, socially shared representations in the Western culture such as Science, Politics/Democracy, and Nature, on an unprecedented scale. A HSR is proposed in this paper as a useful tool to conceptualize major changes in social thinking, at the interface of individual and collective dynamics. A HSR is defined as the crystallization of a meaning-complex on what is valuable and vital for a community, generating competing for social identities, practices, and social policies. The paper revisits the concept initiated by Moscovici and focuses on the role of competing groups, generating opposing perspectives. We argue that at this crucial point, close attention to the way in which meaning is negotiated across a series of key elements of the HSR of survival will help better informing communication and action concerning climate change. © 2021 Hogrefe Publishing.