Genogram Written Narrative
HSC 6323/Family Systems
June 15, 2011
Professor Michael Hardin
Lubbock Christian University
Genograms are an excellent way to show the multigenerational family as a whole. When looking at a genogram, it is easier to see various pieces of information that exist within the family system. When creating a genogram, it is necessary to obtain a great deal of information to allow for accuracy as well as proficiency within the genogram. Overall, a genogram is helpful to find patterns in the family system, and recognize traits that may have been unknown. Throughout this segment is a personalized summarization of a genogram, an examination of the contemporary family, a
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Some cancers are not avoidable, but things can be done to try and prevent it. Second of all, I noticed that my grandmother and father both suffer from some type of emotional and anxiety disorders. This is a good pattern to be aware of because this means there is a possibility that my children or myself could develop an emotional disorder. Awareness of this fact helps to be able to recognize different symptoms and behaviors, and know that an emotional disorder could be present. Understanding that there is a history of physical abuse makes realize that I need to be aware of how I react and respond to certain situations. When I evaluate the genogram by looking on my mother’s side, I can notice a pattern of different illnesses. Looking at my grandma, she had a rare nervous system disease along with my aunt and uncle. This information is very helpful to me especially since I know that I am right in line to potentially carry one of the illnesses. I can be aware of my physical functioning and recognize if something is wrong. I can also see a history of different types of abuse, both physical and emotional on both sides of the family. I think that watching this behavior within my family makes it easier to be emotionally abusive to those I love in my own family. I know there have been times when I have said and done things I
How you ever feel that we, as sons or daughter tend to repeat our parent mistakes? I have always asked myself why and I still have not have the right answer. For example my mother grew up in a very strict environment when she was a child, with my grandmother and my great grandmother coming from a Japanese Culture; my mother grew up to be a very quiet and reserve young adult. She is really kind, strict, helpful and with a very big heart. Although we had our differences when I was growing up, we get along pretty well. One of the things that stand out from her, it is her stubborn personality. Although she is a really good listener, I always feel that it has to be her way. I believe she is more like her way or the
A genogram is a type of family tree, but with more detailed information. It is often used as a diagnostic and assessment tool by physicians or counselors to obtain individual and family history in order to help in the establishment of a diagnosis and treatment plan.
When I was given this ancestry project I automatically knew I wanted to figure out my family genetics and why I got cancer in the first place. I am the only child out of four in my family to get cancer. After digging into some history I found out that my mom, grandma, and uncle had cancer. It's weird how genetics work but I was basically doomed from the beginning. My grandma had breast cancer and had both her breasts removed. My uncle had stage four lung cancer and passed away shortly after diagnosis. And my mom had thyroid cancer only a few years ago and is a survivor. Since there is history of breast cancer in my family I had to get tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene, which is a mutated gene that is inherited from your family. This gene increases your risk of developing breast cancer to 50%, a one in two
Additionally, incorporating the emotional and relational components into the genogram and asking for input from each family member could elicit thought-provoking discussion and insight for each individual member of the family, in addition to the
When creating this diagram I was very confused in how I would represent the generations within my family since I constructed the diagram with my grandparents, my parents, my sisters and I, but also my nephew. It is awesome to see how our family is expanding, but the diagram also allowed me to think of my family in the lens of Family Systems Theory and Therapy.
This paper offers a critical reflection and analysis of my genogram. My family consists of two completely different families thrown together who coexist together without much intermingling. When viewed as one unit, I would describe my family as a loose knit, hardworking, Black middle-class, southern, Christian family. I use the term loose knit because my family is not close at all. We can go months without talking to or seeing each other and there is nothing wrong with that. There have been many times I have been in conversation with family friends and find out information about my family because we do not interact with family members often. The anchor that each of us is close to is our mother, Sandra Smith-Graves.
My mother’s side of the family has a history of cancer. My maternal grandmother and great aunt and uncle all died of some form of cancer. My mother, as well as her siblings are at risk for cancer.
The intergenerational factors that influence family relationships and behaviors can be mapped out in a genogram. These maps assist counselors in getting to know their patients, the family, and the family dynamics (Galvin, 2010). When gathering the information for my own family, there was not any new or shocking revelations. However, when the data was presented in the genogram, it became a revealing diagram of patterns and non-patterns of substance use and mental illness.
A genogram is a diagram that shows family members and their relationships. The information can sometimes include, ages, dates, deaths, and or geographic locations. Males are represented by squares and females are represented by circles. The horizontal lines indicate marriage; while the vertical line indicates parents and children. This paper outlines the assessment and analysis of the three generation of the Jones and Sheffield family, relationships, structures, and health struggles. The interview was conducted by myself (Katroya) and the interviewer was my mother (Sheryl).
Genograms are used to graphically represent a family tree and display detailed data on relationships among the individuals included in the family tree. In essence, families are complex systems that interact with kin groups in specific ways, and a genogram helps to show a diagram of a family tree, but also maps out interactions, relationships, traits, and characteristics that may otherwise not be noticed. The purpose of a genogram is to identify and understand patterns in family history which may influence an individual’s personal behavior and traits. Family Systems Theory, presented by Dr. Murray Bowen, suggests that an individual cannot be understood in isolation from their family members. According to Dr. Bowen, the family is an emotional
Genograms are like family trees with more details. Within a Genogram you can clearly see patterns and connections amongst numerous family members. Before I made my genogram, I had to do an interview with my client, Ileyna Gil. In this interview we discussed her family line, cultural background and religious beliefs. Religion was an important piece of her family’s life. After conducting the interview, I structured her genogram utilizing three generations of Ileyna’s family. After reviewing my notes on Ileyna 's genogram, I identified her family member’s strengths, the impact of Ilena 's cultural background on her way of life.
Catherine and I filled out the Medical Health History of the Family and created a family genogram.
A main key concept of NT is that the problem a client presents with is viewed separate from the client. The problem is not the person; it is something the person has. Therefore, the goal of NT is to change the effects resulting from the problem and not the person themselves. To do this, NT uses the technique of externalizing the problem. To externalize the problem, the problem is first given a name and then it is explored and applied to the clients believes, values, behaviors, and ideals that has formed the clients identity. The negative aspects of these areas get rewritten into the new story. The process of externalizing the problem allows the client to see their problem separate from themselves so they can better
The family that is being observed for this assignment is headed by a married couple who has been together for a little over 40th years. Cliff Barnes a 61 year old male is married to Amy Barnes 66 years old. Their immediate household composition includes Amy Barnes’s 44 year son from a previous relationship, her 22 year old grandson and the couple’s 15 year old adopted daughter. I have included the immediate family members in the attached genogram because they play a major role in the family dynamics.
The objective of doing the genogram is to get to know the patient by gaining understanding of his/her family background. Assessing the family using systemic approach enables health care providers to learn about the ways in which family members interact, what are the family expectations and norms, how effective is the members communication, who makes decisions and how the family deals with life time stressors (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2007). This paper outlines the assessment and analysis of the three generation of Wits’ and Smiths’ families, its relationship, health pattern, habits, tradition and structure. It also provides a nursing teaching plan. The interview was conduced with Alina Wit, a second generation mother of three.