Subject Name: Introduction to Social Work

Lecture 9: Ecomap and genogram

An ecomap is a graphical representation of an individual's life system.

Ecomaps are used in the social work profession during individual and family
counseling. Ecomap was introduced to science in 1975 by Hartman.
At the center of the ecomap is the client (it can be a family or an individual). In
the surrounding circles, there are family relationships and relationships with
appropriate systems that play a role in the client's life. These circles are connected
by a corresponding line.
* Thicker lines mean stronger relationships, relationships.
* The arrow directed to the client shows the effect of the system on the client.
* The arrow directed to the system shows the influence of the client on the
system.
* The arrow directed to both sides shows the influence of the client on the
system and the system on the client.

Strong relationships
 Weak connections
Stressful or conflicted relationships
A genogram is a map or photograph of patterns of intergenerational
relationships between members of a selected family. In other words, a genogram is
a genealogical tree of a family drawn by symbols and the relationships between
family members are recorded, which makes it easier for a specialist to discover the
causes of a family crisis and prepare a family support plan. In social work, the
genogram is used to identify reinforcing relationships, scope of needs, and goals of
intervention . For the first time, genograms were used in work with children and
families in Monica McGoldrick and Randy Gerson's book "Genograms:
Assessment and Intervention" (Monica McGoldrick and Randy Gerson) and
gained popularity . Since then, genograms have been used in various social
sciences, medicine, psychology, genetic research, etc. began to be widely used.
Many clinical psychologists relate the genogram to Murray Bowen's family
systems theory, published in the 1950s, as it is easy to depict the transmission of
intergenerational tensions within the family, related to closeness or alienation. It is
this dynamic that forms the main line of Murray Bowen's theory. According to
systems theory, the family is a system of interacting and interdependent
individuals. To understand any personality, we must understand the family system
of that personality.
Any disturbance in one part of the system affects all its parts. For example, a
person addicted to alcohol will have affected all other parts of the system. In turn,
the system can defend itself against this part by pushing this "diseased" part away
from the rest or, on the contrary, bringing it closer to protect it, in order to achieve
a general inertia. If one of the parts becomes a threat to the rest, the family must try
to adapt to the new environment. The remaining parts may, for some time, take the
aggression on themselves or "cover up", exclude or deny the inappropriate
behavior of the drinker. Furthermore, another important feature of family systems
theory is that systems tend to transmit certain patterns of behavior, traditions, and
needs. Therefore, a breach in the system two generations ago can affect the current
state of the family system, either negatively such as alcoholism and violence, or
through positive examples such as working for others and holiday traditions. In
order to prevent the further degradation of the whole system, the parts "cut off" or
"alienated" by it can remain outside the system, even if the threat is eliminated.
One tool for describing family systems is the genogram, where it is possible to
describe not only factual data, but also patterns of transmission (such as divorces
or multiple children) and the search for strengths that will serve to strengthen other
parts of the system. In the genogram, it is also possible to find "cut" or "alienated"
parts, the absence of which can have various effects on the system's operation.
In a genogram - in the context of a family story - the placement of dates,
important events and the description of relationships creates an opportunity to
identify marital relations and family problems (Guerin 1996 ; Scarf 1987 ).
A genogram, like an ecomap, helps identify other systems such as religious
beliefs, rituals, customs, and patterns that interact with the family. It also allows
you to discover the uniqueness and characteristics of the family, especially its
strengths and needs. In this respect, the genogram can help to investigate the
causes of the crisis.
In the Individual Plans Method, the genogram is drawn up in two ways:
1. by a specialist (guardian, social worker) who is directly responsible
for drawing up an individual plan together with the family. This type of plan will
be developed during initial meetings with family members and also with the help
of information obtained from other people, organizations or documents. In this
genogram, all the information about the dangers (alcoholism, unemployment, etc.)
that can serve to design and implement the plan, as well as the relationships
between different people, which can affect the help provided to the child and his
family, can be reflected. It acts as a tool in group work, when developing an aid
strategy with others, and also in the implementation of the plan. Such a genogram
can be shown to children and family members only when they understand the
causes of the crisis and with the consent of the psychologist observing this
situation. A psychologist can examine the relationships observed by a family
caregiver while working with the family.
2. by a professional with the child or family members. In this version of
the genogram, it is usually impossible to find any relationship information other
than the strengths indicated by the child himself. Showing conflicts between family
members (for example, mother and sister) to a child can lead to the deterioration of
his relations with family members. When working with a child, first of all, it is
necessary to show the strengths of his family, the child's self-awareness, self-
esteem, etc. there are other priorities such as increasing the senses. Thus, this
version of the genogram should note the strengths of the child and their family
before moving on to a more realistic relationship phase. Strengthening the sense of
dignity and creating a sense of mutual trust are necessary conditions for the
continuation of joint work. In the "Child" genogram, we should try to collect
information about any family members who are living or have passed away that
are of any importance to the child. Usually, a genogram should include not only
parents, siblings, but also more distant relatives from both parents - grandparents,
uncles, aunts. In the Genogram, children can place additional information such as
photos, addresses, phone numbers, and heart images in front of those closest to
them.
1. Family Questions:
 How many people does the family consist of - children, + from previous
marriages
 parents + their siblings and relations
 grandparents + their siblings and relations
 relatives: parents' siblings and their children
 + dates of birth, dates and causes of death, relationship, separation,
divorce, occupations, state of health: accidents, illnesses, disabilities
Source:
1. http://www.genogramanalytics.com/
2. http://socialwork.msu.edu/koehler/docs/AboutEcomaps.pdf
3. http://www.unifra.br/eventos/jornadadeenfermagem/Trabalhos/3931.pdf