An Exploration of the Cultural Relevance of Narrative Coherence Criteria with Banyamulenge Congolese Refugee Women

Due to the extensive violence occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the past three decades, Congolese refugees account for the largest number of refugees from one country resettled in the United States over the past decade, accounting for 20% of refugee admissions in 2024. Congolese refugees report high levels of trauma, anxiety, depression, and trauma/PTSD and more tools are needed to assess refugees’ mental health. In this qualitative content analysis (QCA) study, we critically examined nine interviews with Banyamulenge Congolese refugee women (ages 25–48) to explore the cultural relevance and applicability of Baerger and McAdams’ measure of narrative coherence. Narrative coherence theory posits the ability to share one’s story in a way that makes sense to the listener indicates the person has integrated and come to terms with their life experiences, which is subsequently related to health and well-being. Participants were also asked to describe their current number and forms of social support, which is documented as a measure of well-being; in this study, it was explored as a potential source of validation for narrative coherence. Responses were placed in two main categories: (a) coherent responses (44% of total responses) and (b) incoherent responses (46% of total responses), indicating that only one of the nine participants demonstrated fully coherent responses to all interview questions. A post-hoc analysis was conducted in an effort to provide a more complete picture of the quality of the narrative coherence among the participants. Hence, a third main category was created, coherent responses without criterion I8, showing a greater number of coherent ratings. These findings provide initial support for the use of a narrative coherence framework as a means of understanding refugee experiences. Clinical and research implications are discussed.