Coherence in the urban family caregiver role with African American stroke survivors

Expressions of coherence by urban caregivers in African American family systems are the focus of this ethnographic study. The profound changes that can accompany stroke may create considerable stress for families caring for the affected person. Coherence, a sense of mutuality, and differences in functioning among family members were discovered in this study to be important for maintaining stability within the family. Through coherence, family caregivers felt connected and this helped them survive in stressful times related to caring situations. The findings aid in defining coherence as an interpersonal process and place it in a family system context.