Genogram

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THE FAMILY AND THE CHILD: A PSYCHOLOGICAL VIEW

GENOGRAMS IN FAMILY ASSESSMENT UMASS Boston

Psych 441 Prof. Peggy Vaughan

Genogram Review With Notes on Symbols

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Genograms: Weaving a Family Story

“Families are a weaver’s dream as unique threads from the past

are intertwined with present

to form a colorful tapestry of relationships in time.”

Samuel T. Gladding

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Genogram: Defined

◦ A diagram or map depicting biological and interpersonal relationships among generations within the family system (McGoldrick & Gerson,1985,1999, 2008, 2020).

◦ A hands-on tool for working with families-looking at patterns of the family system and how they effect adjustment.

◦ Link to class assignment due last class: a drawing and related 4 to 6-page essay on family (see assignment guidelines).

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Genogram

◦ Chart or Map ◦ Can Include a Family Chronology ◦ Can Assist in Creating a Family Story/Essay ◦ Description of Family Themes and Relationships ◦ Description of Family Processes

◦ Confidentiality is always a consideration

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Genogram for Use with Families ◦ Pictures the family system through time with specific symbols,

chronology, positions. ◦ Enables an individual to step out of the system, examine it, and

potentially gain a greater understanding of complex family dynamics

◦ One way to gain insight into family processes and existing patterns of relationships.

◦ Used in clinical and research settings: psychology, medicine, early intervention, etc.

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Genogram

◦ Standardized symbols and methods ◦ Box (male); circle (female) ◦ Double lines around box/circle = index person (YOU)

◦ Arrange children oldest to youngest, left to right ◦ Adoption – dotted lines ◦ Males on left of female usually

◦ X inside box/circle = death

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Key Rules

◦ Some key rules to draw or build a genogram ◦ The male parent is always at the left of the family and the female

parent is always at the right of the family. ◦ Variance: Relationship may be male-male or female-female

◦ A spouse must always be closer to his/her first partner, then the second partner (if any), third partner, and so on...

◦ The oldest child is always at the left his family, the youngest child is always at the right his family

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Describing Family Relationships ◦ Description of name and relationship and option to note qualities

or characteristics of the relationships ◦ Simple and straightforward ◦ Symbols on genogram for “describing”/depicting relationships.

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Sample Identifying Information

◦ Names/Nicknames ◦ Birth dates ◦ Marriage dates/Divorce

dates ◦ Separation dates ◦ Sibling position (birth

order-includes siblings who have died) ◦ Death date (if

appropriate); cause of death

◦ Personal characteristics ◦ Occupations and job

histories ◦ Illnesses ◦ Skills ◦ Roles ◦ Hobbies and other

interests

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Family Chronology and Life Events: Helpful to Review for Genogram Essay

◦ Chronological listing of major events in family (negative, neutral and positive)

◦ Suggestion: In this context, best to avoid over-focusing on tragic/traumatic events

◦ Positive events also influence families and individuals ◦ Note; Will review chronology in class

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Genogram Summary

◦ A genogram is a variation on a family tree that includes more family data and sometimes includes psychological or health data.

◦ It is a map of three, four, or more generations of a family which records social data. ◦ Genealogical and family relationships, births and losses

◦ The genogram can also go more in depth, by including more complex symbols and by the use of a narrative write-up other information linked to psychological functioning. ◦ Examples: occupations, family migrations and dispersal, identifications

and role assignments, and information about alignments, alliances and communication patterns.

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Key to the Genogram: Basic Symbols

The male is noted by a square and the female by a circle. A family is shown by a horizontal line connecting the two. The male is noted by a square and the female by a circle. A family is shown by a horizontal line connecting the two.

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Children

◦ Children are below parents, listed by birth order, oldest to youngest.

B. 1999 B. 2006

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Symbols and Variations

◦ There are symbols for the common structures and variations in family systems. These include ways to depict living together, marital separation, divorce.

◦ There are also symbols for miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion; twins, triplets, and adopted or foster children.

◦ Note: Refer to the updated genogram symbols document posted on Blackboard for additional symbols.

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Family: Husband with Three Partners and the Children This case is a husband with three spouses. The husband had three children with the first wife, then divorced. The husband married the second wife, had one child and separated. The husband currently lives with another woman. As you can see, the oldest child is at the left, and the youngest child, "Half Sister", is at the right of her family, as she is the only child of the husband and the second wife

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Wife with Multiple Partners In this scenario, the "Oldest Brother" is older than the twins and the half sister, however the half- sister must be placed under the family of her biological parents. Since the second marriage is after the first marriage, it follows that the half sister is younger than the children from the first marriage. The half sister therefore appears to the left, although she is not the oldest child.

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DRAWINGS Genograms Can Be Drawn by

Hand or Designed with Software

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The Basic Skeleton of a Hand Drawn Genogram

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Basic Symbols

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Symbols of Parents with Children

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Symbols of Multiple Marriages

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A More Complex Drawing or Draft of Skeleton of a Family

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Symbols of Family Relationships: Drawn Between Family Members

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