Construction of Genogram and Ecomap

Running head: CONSTRUCTION OF GENOGRAM AND ECOMAP
CONSTRUCTION OF GENOGRAM AND ECOMAP
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Author’s Note

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Running head: CONSTRUCTION OF GENOGRAM AND ECOMAP
Introduction
Genogram construction and ecomapping are essential tools to follow the genetical,
physiological and emotional connections and interrelations that runs in a family (DeMaria,
Twist & Weeks, 2017). Focused genograms are intergenerational evaluation of individuals on
the basis of their families. A genogram illustrates family relationships along with the medical
history of an individual pictorially (Alexander, Callaghan & Fellin, 2018). Genogram is a
comprehensive, scientifically evidenced family tree which allows visualization of hereditary
patterns in addition to psychological factors which might punctuate various relationships
(Rempel, Neufeld & Kushner, 2017). Genogram is generally used in medical and nursing
practices to identify patterns of hereditary tendencies and the following figure comprises of
the symbols used in a typical genogram.
Dr. Murray Bowen had invented the genogram concept as a model for family systems
in 1970s. The genograms were further developed in clinical settings by Dr. Monica
McGoldrick along with Dr. Randy Gerson and popularized through publication of book
entitled ‘Genograms: Assessment and Intervention’ in the year 1985 (Bennett & Grant, 2016).
The use of genograms is popular now in the field of psychology, medicine, social work,
psychiatry, education, genetic research. Medical practitioners with the aid of diagnostic
records of an individual along with family, use genograms in order to explain familial
dynamics to client.

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Running head: CONSTRUCTION OF GENOGRAM AND ECOMAPAn ecomap is the graphical illustration which represents all the systems which are at
play within the life of the concerned individual. The ecomaps are required during counseling
sessions of individual and takes into account the family and social work along with
professional life (Libbon et al., 2017). Often, the ecomaps are used to portray the social life of
the life during session and acts as a quick reference file. The ecomap or ecological map was
first developed by Dr. Hartman in the year 1975 as tool to depict the ecological system of an
individual (Goldberg, Lagomasino & Fatoyinbo, 2018).
 The client is at center of eco-map and the various connection and influential systems
surround the client along with Family and social in addition with professional
connections.
 Straight lines mean good relationship.
 Curvy lines or red lines highlights stressful relationship
 Pointing arrows to client highlight’s systems that primarily has an influence on the
client
 Pointing arrows to a systems illustrates that client has substantial influences on that
system.
 Arrows that point in both directions depict relationships which effect and influence
each other.
Relevance of Genogram in family nursing
1. Genogram is the tool which is used by the nurses in order to construct a
comprehensive and holistic representation of a client in relation to the social
environment (Rempel, Neufeld & Kushner, 2017).
2. Genogram serves as both assessment tool along with being an aid for different
interventions (Souza et al., 2016).