Definition of Genogram

Genograms are pictorial representations of a family's history through three or more generations. Caregivers use this information in the treatment of family related illnesses and to discover family behaviors that may lead to medical conditions.

Purpose

• Genograms provide deep understanding about a particular family's historical and current behavior. Strength and weaknesses can be gathered and examined by the family or the caregiver to make life changes or to scrutinize past health illnesses.

Genogram Characteristics

• Basic genogram models capture a family's history by documenting relationships, births, losses, connections, patterns, roles and health history.

Medical Revelation

• Clinicians take the information from genograms and use it to examine family members, patterns and events that continue to reoccur within the family. This information can also be used to indicate any behaviors that can lead to illnesses.

Genogram Building

• Four rules must be in place to build an effective genogram. First, male parents are always placed first at the left. Next, in cases of ambiguity, always assume male-female relations. Thirdly, spouses must always be closer to their first partner. Last, the oldest child is always at the left of the family. These four rules form the basis of how genograms are constructed.

Symbols

• Universal standards for genograms are not in place, but there are some basic symbols that most constructors of genograms agree upon. Symbols represent certain gender, and how these symbols are placed within the genogram is important as well.