For her MA Thesis, Chloe Gonzales has been awarded the Outstanding Thesis Award from the Interpersonal Communication Division of the National Communication Association at the 2024 Conference in New Orleans.
Title: The theory of rhythmic synergy in caregiving for older adults living with dementia.
Abstract: This manuscript sets forth a theory of rhythmic synergy to depict the dynamic process of communication and sensemaking that family members experience when caring for someone living with dementia. The theory emerged from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 31 adult family caregivers of a family member living with dementia. Rhythmic synergy refers to the dynamic process through which caregivers both sense-make and strategically engage in adapting their communication and behavior actions (both verbal and nonverbal; i.e., rhythms) with their loved one living with dementia that create a sense of ease in caregiving tasks and daily interactions in order to foster a greater relational presence with the loved one and deeper emotional bond (i.e., synergy). The theory also helps explain moments of disruption, confusion, and disconnection, attributable to factors such as continually changing care demands, disease symptomology, and system-level care. Finally, rhythmic synergy also conceptualizes the ways in which members of a care partner network (e.g., family members, paid caregivers) influence each other at a group level.