Applying the Social Identity Approach to Leadership to Online Support Groups for Long Covid

ABSTRACT Previous research has shown that online support groups for Long Covid may improve group members' wellbeing, but there is limited evidence on the role of group moderators in influencing such outcomes. Applying the social identity approach to leadership, this study sought to understand the extent to which group moderators display identity leadership and their role in influencing group members' health and wellbeing. Interviews were conducted with 10 members and seven moderators, with participants explaining how the moderators of their groups had, or had recovered from, Long Covid (prototypicality), developed and maintained the ethos of the group (entrepreneurship), hosted activities for group members (impresarioship), and engaged with policymakers, the media, and healthcare professionals (advancement). Group members reported improvements in symptom management, adjustment, and social wellbeing by engaging with online support groups, but members mostly attributed this to the support from other group members. Moderators reported finding purpose through moderating the groups, but sometimes this was to the detriment of their physical health. Overall, by engaging in identity leadership, group moderators indirectly influence the experiences between group members. Seven recommendations are provided to enhance the experiences of online support groups for both group moderators and members.