How to Complete a Genogram
A genogram is a more advanced form of a family tree that is used in a medical context to plot the spread of genetic illnesses or the root of behavioral or cognitive problems. In addition to traditional family tree formats, a genogram include specific information on relationships, family history--both biological and psychological. A genogram can be a useful tool if you wish to investigate or explain a familial pattern to any behavior or disease.
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Instructions
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Determine what it is that you are plotting. This will help with the data collection. For example, if you are investigating red hair in a family, this can be conducted anecdotally, although if you are looking for occurrences of angina, you'll need to do more detailed research
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Collect your data; make sure to investigate all members of your family. Even if you are interested only in your own medical history, be sure to collect data for your aunts, uncles and cousins, as some illnesses are carried by recessive genes, meaning some people can be "carriers." Also gather details of social factors, such as co-habitation, since genograms also cover areas such as behavioral or other psychological issues that are not simply genetic problems.
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Decide on a key that will make the data in the genogram easy to view and decipher. For example, if you are attempting to find occurrences of schizophrenia in a family, a square could represent someone with schizophrenia, a circle someone without, and a triangle someone with a mental illness of some sort. This allows for data to be analyzed quickly and effectively.
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Draw your genogram, either by hand or on your computer with software that designs genograms. Be sure to provide information on the key you have used, and title your genogram properly. Some genograms provide information on which people in a family co-habit, although depending on what data you are collecting, this may not be useful. Use your judgment with which information is shown. Too much will reduce the effectiveness, although not enough also will reduce its effectiveness. Be sure to include branches of the family other than the one you are predominantly concerned with.
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Analyze patterns in the genogram. If you have drawn it correctly, patterns should become evident. Combine this with your wider knowledge about what you are looking for. For example, studying hemophilia in a family will require knowledge of the gender-based nature of hemophilia.
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Tips & Warnings
If a child is adopted, or non-natural to the family, a symbol for this can be used, such as a jagged line. This information may prove to be useful if investigating behavior and should be included.
References
Resources
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