HSV GENOGRAM case study
korokiabe
Constructing_the_Genogram-1.pptConstructing the
Multi-Generational Genogram
Training Module
for
Multi-Generational Genogram
and Cultural Trauma Research
Dr. Jeffrey K. Edwards
Dr. James Ruby
Department of Counselor Education
Family Counseling Program
Northeastern Illinois University
(copyright, 2006)
Edited by Lisa Marie Chervenak, M.A. for use in PSY220: Multicultural Psychology at Post University
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”Widely used by both family therapists and family physicians, the Genogram is a graphic way of organizing the mass of information gathered during a family assessment and finding patterns in the family system.”
- McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., & Shellenberger, S. (1999). Genograms: Assessment and Intervention (2nd ed.). New York, NY, US: W. W. Norton & Co, Inc.
Related Concepts
- Multigenerational transmission
- What a Genogram looks for -
- The “presence of the past” in day to day living and the emotional responses to this
- The nature and the degree of intensity of the emotional responses are passed down from generation to generation
First things first
- Get the basic information down on paper starting with your immediate family.
- Circles are for females
- Squares are for males
**Males are usually listed on the left side of connected relationships and females are listed on the right-hand side.
Basic Notations
- Connect the people using straight lines if the family has a legal marital relationship
- Mark a back slash across the line, if a divorce occurred.
Notations, continued
- Connect the children to the parents, constructing a family of origin for them.
Children are noted from oldest to youngest moving left to right.
The index person of the Genogram (person from whose perspective
it is being drawn) is identified with a double line.
Thus, the Genogram above is being constructed by the youngest son.
Notations, continued
- Other common notations follow:
A couple living together unmarried
A married couple that is separated
A deceased family member
(date of death is often noted)
A marriage ending in divorce
Notations, continued
- In the case of divorce where children were involved, you place the slash mark through the relationship line in such a way that it is clear with whom the children primarily live/lived
Notations, continued
- Other important notations would include…
Identical Twins
Fraternal Twins
Adopted Child
Foster Child
Stillbirth
Miscarriage
Biological Child
Notations, continued
- It is also often appropriate to describe the “quality” or “nature” of family relationships using specific symbols
A conflictual relationship
A close relationship
An enmeshed relationship
Notations, continued
- Investigation through the genogram commonly requires asking parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who are alive to help. Genograms go back in time, looking for patterns of behavior, strengths and world-views, so the earlier generations hold valuable information.
**In this case the male is on the right side of the connected relationship to align with biological relationships and birth order
- One continues going backward for several generations, until you can either go no further, or the data becomes more myth than “fact.” But, myths are also important to family world-views. Both sides of each family are indicated, and yes you need lots of big sheets of paper.
Family Patterns
- Genograms look for patterns that connect (Bateson,2000 ). Patterns indicate how family members pass on their view of the world, including strengths, resiliencies as well as dysfunctional patterns.
- World-views can include things like how one survives in a hostile world, religious beliefs, the meaning of education in one’s life, any family operating principles that inform family members about day to day life.
References
- McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., & Shellenberger, S. (1999). Genograms: Assessment and Intervention (2nd ed.). New York, NY, US: W. W. Norton & Co, Inc.
- Bateson, G. (2000). Steps to an Ecology of Mind: Collected Essays in Anthropology, Psychiatry, Evolution, and Epistemology. Chicago, USA: University of Chicago Press.
