Lost in the matrix: Dialectical tensions in facilitating virtual video groups during COVID-19 pandemic
The research phenomenologically explored the experience of facilitating virtual video groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research questions addressed relational processes in virtual video groups, including emotional presence, interpersonal communication, and intimacy. Specifically, we asked how fa...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Internet Interventions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782921000853 |
| _version_ | 1818572804328521728 |
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| author | Yael Ben-David Tamar Ickeson Avital Kaye-Tzadok |
| author_facet | Yael Ben-David Tamar Ickeson Avital Kaye-Tzadok |
| author_sort | Yael Ben-David |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The research phenomenologically explored the experience of facilitating virtual video groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research questions addressed relational processes in virtual video groups, including emotional presence, interpersonal communication, and intimacy. Specifically, we asked how facilitators can intervene effectively to promote these processes in the virtual space, within the context of social distancing.Semi-structured group interviews were held with 26 female group facilitators from various professional backgrounds during the first wave of COVID-19 in Israel in May 2020. Phenomenological analysis yielded five main themes addressing dialectical tensions that operate simultaneously in the virtual space, both enabling and hindering relational processes in virtual video groups: intimacy and intrusion in the domestic space; sharp transitions from presence to absence; fragmented processing despite abundant information; sterility and clarity in group communication; and the hyper-aware self – being a participant and an observer at the same time. Moving groups into a virtual sphere challenged the traditional role of facilitators, who struggled to create a safe space in an unstable virtual setting where the boundaries between personal and professional lives were reduced. Findings also point to the potential of the domestic space to promote closeness and intimacy and suggest the virtual space requires facilitators to embrace multiplicity as a state of mind when intervening. Facilitators must work with permeable boundaries between inner and outer group spaces, accept discontinuity as a basic property of the virtual, and acknowledge the limitations caused by multiple stimuli. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-15T00:02:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6db54f2152d74019a6e70914dc90241d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-7829 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-15T00:02:32Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Internet Interventions |
| spelling | doaj.art-6db54f2152d74019a6e70914dc90241d2022-12-21T22:42:51ZengElsevierInternet Interventions2214-78292021-12-0126100445Lost in the matrix: Dialectical tensions in facilitating virtual video groups during COVID-19 pandemicYael Ben-David0Tamar Ickeson1Avital Kaye-Tzadok2Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Israel; Corresponding author at: 7 Arnon St., Tel Aviv 6345509, Israel.Peres Academic Center, IsraelRuppin Academic Center, IsraelThe research phenomenologically explored the experience of facilitating virtual video groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research questions addressed relational processes in virtual video groups, including emotional presence, interpersonal communication, and intimacy. Specifically, we asked how facilitators can intervene effectively to promote these processes in the virtual space, within the context of social distancing.Semi-structured group interviews were held with 26 female group facilitators from various professional backgrounds during the first wave of COVID-19 in Israel in May 2020. Phenomenological analysis yielded five main themes addressing dialectical tensions that operate simultaneously in the virtual space, both enabling and hindering relational processes in virtual video groups: intimacy and intrusion in the domestic space; sharp transitions from presence to absence; fragmented processing despite abundant information; sterility and clarity in group communication; and the hyper-aware self – being a participant and an observer at the same time. Moving groups into a virtual sphere challenged the traditional role of facilitators, who struggled to create a safe space in an unstable virtual setting where the boundaries between personal and professional lives were reduced. Findings also point to the potential of the domestic space to promote closeness and intimacy and suggest the virtual space requires facilitators to embrace multiplicity as a state of mind when intervening. Facilitators must work with permeable boundaries between inner and outer group spaces, accept discontinuity as a basic property of the virtual, and acknowledge the limitations caused by multiple stimuli.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782921000853Virtual group interventionCOVID-19Group facilitationDiscontinuityPhenomenology |
| spellingShingle | Yael Ben-David Tamar Ickeson Avital Kaye-Tzadok Lost in the matrix: Dialectical tensions in facilitating virtual video groups during COVID-19 pandemic Internet Interventions Virtual group intervention COVID-19 Group facilitation Discontinuity Phenomenology |
| title | Lost in the matrix: Dialectical tensions in facilitating virtual video groups during COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | Lost in the matrix: Dialectical tensions in facilitating virtual video groups during COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Lost in the matrix: Dialectical tensions in facilitating virtual video groups during COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lost in the matrix: Dialectical tensions in facilitating virtual video groups during COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | Lost in the matrix: Dialectical tensions in facilitating virtual video groups during COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | lost in the matrix dialectical tensions in facilitating virtual video groups during covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | Virtual group intervention COVID-19 Group facilitation Discontinuity Phenomenology |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782921000853 |
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