College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
Term of Award
Spring 2026
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Social Sciences (M.A.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Committee Chair
Adrienne Cohen
Committee Member 1
Elizabeth Rahilly
Committee Member 2
Alicia Brunson
Abstract
Amidst a mental health epidemic and rising inequality, online communities offer a medium for peer support networks for disabled Americans. Community care, especially in the form of mutual aid, has increased in popularity since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering troubling increases in eugenics-based messaging and disproportionate economic inequality, disabled Americans in particular have leaned into community care. Previous research establishes social media as a hub for resource mobilization and safe space for members of marginalized communities to connect. This research aims to explore the impacts of social, political, and economic unrest on the development of community care and disability justice values. This can provide better insight into how different forms of support are valued and created by disabled communities in online engagement. I hypothesize that collective identity informs how many disabled individuals build connections online. By using content analysis, I sought to understand how these online connections become networks of care that provide social support and encourage mutual aid practices. Through participatory action research, this research provides insight into resource mobilization and mutual aid occurring online. Through this mixed-methods approach, I studied how community care takes various forms among communities. I found 3 overarching themes: applications of disability justice; collective, intentional organizing; and connection and activism as expression. These findings expand upon how networks of community care can be supported. A final deliverable was developed to better serve these communities in integrating care work into organizing efforts.
Recommended Citation
King, Maeve J., "Community Care During Austerity: Mutual Aid and Online Connection Among Disabled Americans" (2026). College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations. 3123.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/3123
Research Data and Supplementary Material
Yes
Included in
Community-Based Research Commons, Disability Studies Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons, Social Justice Commons, Social Media Commons, Social Psychology Commons
