Date
8-6-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Stephanie Phillips
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, Fandom, Supernatural, social support
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Alarie, Misha, "Exploring the Role of Online Fan Communities During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7330.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7330
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals increasingly turned to online fandom communities for social support and companionship. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the impact of digital communities on individuals' social support networks throughout and beyond the pandemic. Through an exploration of participants' lived experiences within virtual spaces, specifically Reddit, the research sought to comprehend how interactions within online fandoms address individuals' social needs and influence their overall well-being. The research examined how people find online communities, their interactions, perceptions of group dynamics, how these spaces can change them, and their role in offering support during and after the pandemic. Data was collected via qualitative methods, including interviews and surveys, from 25 participants engaged in Supernatural fandom communities during the pandemic, aiming for thematic saturation to ensure a comprehensive exploration of participants' experiences. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis, which entails systematically identifying, analyzing, and interpreting recurring themes or patterns within the data to address the research questions. Results were analyzed and discussed related to how participants interacted within the online fan communities and their perceived social support during the pandemic. Findings from this study highlight the crucial role these communities played in offering emotional healing and a sense of connection, often acting as a refuge and a source of stability for individuals facing isolation. The online fan community provided a space where creativity was encouraged and members felt a strong sense of belonging, which contributed to their overall well-being.
