Group Dynamics When Battling a Pandemic INTRODUCTION

摘要

Background: This special issue of Group Dynamics presents six articles that address aspects of how group dynamics and processes have been impacted by, and have the potential to impact, the SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This introduction briefly reviews and comments on each article. Results: The articles highlight a number of issues and findings: the natural inclination of people to congregate in groups both exacerbate the spread of the virus and can provide solace during these times of stress; the concept of groupthink may explain the seemingly irrational rejection of public health measures among some in society; group psychotherapy is effective, but we need more research to understand how it works when delivered in an online format as necessitated by the current pandemic; an emotional management intervention might help virtual work groups to perform better; howmembers perceive their virtual environment could affect the quality of their groupwork; and today's virtual work environments requires group members to have a common understanding of the technologies they are using. Conclusions: The current crisis has highlighted that groups to which we belong are important to our mental health and productivity. The pandemic also has made clear the need for a broader scholarly and professional investment in the understanding and use of groups. Such an investment would not only move the fields of group research forward, but would also inform public health policy, and ease our adjustment to and capacity to flourish in the current and future pandemics.