The quality of being logically consistent and forming a unified whole, both in thinking and in one's sense of self. In psychology, it refers to how well different aspects of personality, memory, and experience fit together meaningfully.
From Latin 'cohaerere' meaning 'to stick together, be connected.' The word entered English in the 16th century but gained psychological significance in the 20th century through narrative therapy and research on psychological well-being and sense-making.
Coherence is like having all the instruments in your internal orchestra playing the same symphony - when your thoughts, feelings, values, and actions are aligned and make sense together, you experience a profound sense of wholeness and authenticity. Research shows that people with high narrative coherence (ability to tell a meaningful story about their lives) have better mental health and resilience, even when their stories include difficult chapters.
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