ResearchGate Logo

Discover the world's research

  • 20+ million members
  • 135+ million publications
  • 700k+ research projects

Join for free

The Canadian Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Review Mar. 2003 (12):2 47

Genograms: Assessment and Intervention. 2nd Edition.

Monica McGoldrick, Randy Gerson and Sylvia Shellenberger. WW. Norton and Co., N.Y. 1999. 243pp. $17.00 U.S.

This book, now in its 2nd edition, provides a useful review of the theory and clinical application of the Genogram. Through the vehicle of illustra-

tive examples of famous families from the world of entertainment, politics and therapy, the reader is taken through the process of working with a fami-

ly and producing a functional model of a family over time. The purpose of the genogram can be as diverse as conventional recording of a family med-

ical history to mapping out the complex interrelationship of families to their biopsychosocial environment. As the authors point out, not all systems the-

orists have paid homage to detailing a family's history, preferring in some cases, such as Minuchen, to focus on immediate family relationships or, as

Haley would have, to avoid a "family ghost." The genogram approach involves a process of "mapping out" multigenerational transmission of family pat-

terns on the assumption that this knowledge will allow families to make more informed alternative choices for their future.

The book contains 90 genograms, illustrating the development of family genograms, by utilizing the famous families mentioned earlier. There are

8 chapters which cover developing a genogram, interpreting family structure, relationship patterns and triangular relationship patterns, assessing family

roles, function, balance, resilience and resources. There are specific chapters on tracking families over time, on clinical use and on research applications.

The chapter on clinical application has the ring of clinical truth and would be a helpful read for the novice therapist as well as the more experienced

clinician. The authors argue that the method of engaging the family in a common task of constructing their own family tree is "empowering " and cre-

ates a focus on the family process away from diversion towards or "scapegoating " the individual. Through the story of clinical case material the read-

er is taken through the clarification of family patterns, reframing and detoxifying family issues and using the genogram to design interventions. The

application of rituals as a way "transforming" loss is discussed.

The chapter on research application gives some fascinating information on high levels of inter-rater reliability in a short 16-minute interview, which

captures key elements for constructing the genogram. Computer soft ware is now available to automate the process, allowing family members to inter-

act with the computer and generate their own genogram in response to standardized prompts. Different versions of the family over time, key family

events and individual histories can be generated by the programme and printed of for the family to take home and work on between sessions.

Despite this being a multi-authored book, the writing is clear and speaks to the reader with one voice. There are good references to each chapter.

Whilst not being a manualized approach to family therapy, this theoretical exposition of an important approach to families is worthy of a place in the

child psychiatry departmental library, if not on the residents' bookshelf.

Laurence Jerome MD, FRCPC

for decades to explore human moral development. Concepts from animal arousal and behavior models are linked with human infant research on early

affective and cognitive development. The research quoted is illustrative and extensive. The section ends with a discussion of the differences between

empathy, guilt, sympathy and injustice. Parts Two and Three introduce the concept of guilt and how parental discipline interacts with a child's cogni-

tive skills to guide moral development. This first half of the book could have been expanded further through the use of more examples and further

exploration of how genetics and innate brain processes contribute to the development of empathy. Hoffman also seemed to emphasize the psychoso-

cial aspects over the behavioral cognitive and genetic aspects, but it is a good review of the field to date.

The second half of the book is very interesting. The examples given are more current, complete and involved. The author shines as he discusses

his integration of existing theory and research into a comprehensive model. He sketches a brief picture of different types of guilt, and a theoretical hier-

archy. He expands on his assertion that both parental discipline and peer interaction are necessary for the development of guilt and morality. His col-

lected statistics on parental discipline and its effects on children's moral development are impressive. He explains why empathy can operate in some sit-

uations and can be overwhelmed in others, even when the individuals involved are highly empathic (i.e. therapist burnout). Numerous examples are

given of how guilt and empathy are motivators for human action, especially prosocial and "altruistic" actions. In light of the events of September 11,

2001, Hoffman's concepts explain much of the individual and social group actions which followed.

Section Four of the book asks the question "Is Empathy Enough" to explain moral action. Types of bias which may affect empathy and moral action

are examined. Empathy's self-destructive and self-limiting qualities are explored and integrated in Darwinian fashion. Hoffman states that a morality

based on empathy alone would not be fair in large mixed or larger human groups and would lead to bias and conflict. To live together peaceably,

Hoffman insists that empathy must be embedded in moral principles, the subject of the fifth part of the book. Hoffman shows how empathy (affect)

becomes linked or bonded to moral principles (of cognitive and social origin) as the person develops. The synthesis is used powerfully to explain the

perpetuation of social attributes of caring and justice in western society. Useful definitions of key concepts in justice research are included.

Parts six and seven of the book are the slimmest and cover culture, wherein issues of the universal applicability of the key concepts are examined,

and intervention, which hopefully can someday be expanded into its own volume. A few directions in designing empathic training for use in young

offenders and other children at risk are given, but not in the kind of depth currently desperately needed in the field.

The book is well organized in its scant 300 pages and set up as a graduate course. It is an easy book from which to learn. It would make an ideal

text and makes for a brilliant discussion overall, as it presents the author's theory that will, no doubt, form the basis for future research and intervention

in this area.

Lori Ann Vogt

Helping At-Risk Students: A Group Counseling Approach for Grades 6-9.

Jill Waterman, Elizabeth Walker. Guilford Press, New York, N.Y. 2001. 221 pp. $30.00 Paperback.

This book is a manual for a curriculum entitled SPARK which is administered to students in grades 6 to 9 at-risk for mental health problems. The curricu-

lum is intended to 'spark' greater student achievement, social-emotional growth, and nonviolent responding. A group process model aimed at developing

  • Maria Angela Mattar Yunes Maria Angela Mattar Yunes

Generally, researches with families focus the difficulties and the negative aspects of family life by bringing up their maladjustments and failures. The interest in family resilience contributes to change this logic by demonstrating the healthy aspects of the family world. Nevertheless, the term resilience presents ideological controversies which are more severe when the discussion is about families and poverty. In order to diminish these contradictions this study adopted a systemic concept of resilience which refers to "those processes that make possible to overcome adversities". A case study was realized with a low income family who lived in a "very poor" neighborhood in the deep south of Brazil. The methodological strategies to the formal investigation of the family were: life history of the family using the principles of reflexive interview, genograms and data analyses through the approach of the grounded theory. The results showed that the family lived a number of risk experiences such as adoption, privation of basic needs, migration and diseases. Among the indicators of their abilities of "overcoming adversities", emerged the belief system as the core of the discourses. The family showed that they value the interpersonal relationships through intra and extra familiar interactions based in the patterns of help, learning, affection and solidarity. During the crisis the family gives meaning to the difficulties in order to maintaining the situation controlled through cohesion, open communication, mutual respect and getting support of the extended family/ social network. The pos-adversity period is perceived as benefic and transforming as the family feels stronger and with feelings of solidarity, which is a mark of this family. Their attitude in relation to the neighborhood is active in the sense of promoting the welfare of other families who live in the same social address. Would those above identified processes be adequate to define "family resilience" or they only suggest the group adaptation to the social dominant norms?

  • Felicity Brock Kelcourse Felicity Brock Kelcourse

In 1904, a 19-year-old Sabina Spielrein journeyed from her home in Rostov, Russia, to Zürich, Switzerland, in hopes of becoming a doctor, but was first hospitalized at the famous Burghölzli hospital with a diagnosis of "hysteria." There she was treated by Eugene Bleuler and Carl Jung and was able, within less than a year, to begin her medical studies. Her diary entries from 1909 to 1912, as published in Carotenuto's 1982 A Secret Symmetry: Sabina Spielrein between Jung and Freud, reveal a young woman caught up in an intense transference towards her former analyst, Jung, who nevertheless maintained her own sense of purpose and ambition, enabling her to become an analyst in her own right. This essay attempts to give Spielrein back her own voice, portraying her not as the pawn of two great rivals, Jung and Freud, but emphasizing rather her development as the creative pioneering analyst she was to become.

  • Steven M Harris Steven M Harris

Brandwein, R. A. (ed.) (1999). Battered Women, Children, and Welfare Reform: The Ties That Bind.Books Available for Review

  • Elizabeth R Taylor Elizabeth R Taylor
  • Madeleine Clement
  • Ginger Ledet

Genogram construction provides the client and counselor with important information about client relationships and interactions. Genograms typically focus on historical data, more problematic interactions, and past patterns of behavior. This article includes examples of alternative genogram and interactional constructions for use with children and adolescents employing solution-focused and narrative therapies. Focus is placed on examining current interactions, strengths, and resources using developmentally appropriate techniques. Case examples are included.

Aim of the study: To assess the correlations between the perception of relations in parents' families of origin and the assessment of the current family by the parents and their daughters suffering from eating disorders. STUDIED GROUP: Statistical analyses were applied to the results obtained from 54 patients diagnosed with restrictive anorexia nervosa, from 22 with binge-purge anorexia, from 36 with bulimia and from two control groups: 36 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders and 85 Krakow schoolgirls. The study also covered the parents of the investigated girls. Method: Family of Origin Scale and Family Assessment Questionnaire (FAM Polish version) were used in the study. Results: The procreative family assessment made by the mothers was correlated with the assessment of their own generational family and the assessment of own generational family made by their husbands. Procreative family assessment made by the fathers was correlated only with their assessment of their family of origin. Family of origin assessment made by patients with diagnosed eating disorders, particularly bulimia, was correlated only with the family of origin assessment made by their fathers. The last correlation did not occur in the control groups. Conclusions: The research shows a correlation between the experience of the families of origin and the current functioning of the family. They show the impact of the fathers' trangenerational experience on the perception of family relations of daughters with diagnosed anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

  • Anthony W. Tatman Anthony W. Tatman

The Hmong in the U.S., a refugee population from Southeast Asia, brought a rich culture with them. To maximize therapeutic success with Hmong clients, counselors must acknowledge and understand Hmong history, culture, and acculturation and the value placed on family and community. This article provides background information and suggestions for counselors working with Hmong clients. El Hmong en los EE.UU., una población de refugiado de Asia del sudeste, trajo una cultura generosa con ellos. Para llevar al máximo éxito terapéutico con clientes de Hmong, los consejeros deben reconocery deben entender la historia de Hmong, la cultura, y assimilación y el valor colocados en la familia y la comunidad. Este artículo proporciona la información antecendentes y sugerencias para consejeros que trabajan con clientes de Hmong.

  • Krista M Malott Krista M Malott
  • Sandy Magnuson

This article features the description of a 5-session group experience designed to facilitate exploration of familial influence on career decision making. The authors adapted traditional family genograms to explicate occupational patterns, themes, and values and to examine career choice in relation to influences derived from family experiences. A sequence of activities, students' responses, and precautions is provided.

  • Annemaree Bickerton
  • Julie Ward
  • Michelle Southgate
  • Tiffany Hense

The following article provides a comprehensive guide to the clinical implementation of the Safety First Assessment Intervention (SFAI). The SFAI is a systemised, whole family approach for young people with high-risk issues presenting in a mental health crisis. It is underpinned by the Safety First Model (Bickerton et al., 2007) and promotes community-based care. The SFAI operationalises the foundation levels of the Safety First Model (SFM) through a highly structured clinical process. It draws on family systems theory, predominantly the work of Bowen (1978), to conceptualise distress through a multi-generational systems lens and to prioritise the young person's natural support system (their family, friends, school and community) as their key resource. The SFAI engages this natural support system and facilitates open communication about symptoms, distress, safety and risk. This promotes a shared understanding of the key issues in a relational context and forms the basis of collaborative risk management. Thus, a system of safety emerges prioritising the family's role in optimising the young person's community-based recovery. The need for pharmacotherapy and hospitalisation is therefore minimised. The article includes background theory, an outline of the structured assessment intervention and clinical techniques, including strategies for complex family situations. Specific strategies are illustrated with fictional vignettes. The work is based on the authors' accumulated experiences of working with young people and their families and carers in an acute Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for over a decade.

  • Rosalina Pisco Costa Rosalina Pisco Costa

If not in reality, then in the cultural imaginary of Western society, the weekend is often pictured as a pilgrimage site for families. By particularly focusing on the experience of the weekend amongst non-resident parents and their child(ren), this article offers a simultaneously new and innovative gaze on the issue. Drawing on middle-class non-resident parents' accounts collected through episodic interviews, it explores the beginning, the middle and the ending of those fortnightly weekends. Making use of a qualitative approach, key moments of anticipation, experience and farewell are examined, and the main features highlighted. Using a sociological perspective, the findings suggest that whilst outside the week, its promise is to synchronise everyone under a same family clock in the view of a 'quality' and 'special' time; inside the weekend, non-resident parents and their children experience a family ritual. In between the expectation and joy in the anticipation and the sadness and the sorrow of farewell, a 'different' time disrupts the daily life, and imprints a 'unique' and 'special' occasion. Always ephemeral, the weekend is, thus, unveiled as a liminal time span, not least as far as post-separation parenting is concerned.

  • Andrew Kendrick Andrew Kendrick

Residential care has had a poor reputation. There are concerns about the abuse of children in care, and evidence of poor outcomes and poor practice. In this context, residential care is often compared in a negative way to family placements. On the other hand, residential care can also provide a positive experience for some children and young people. Residential care has increasingly been contrasted with family placements, and yet children and young people describe their positive experiences in residential care as like being in a family, and refer to care staff using kin terms, such as 'dad' or 'sister'. With the growing diversity of families in Western society, there have been significant developments in sociological theories of families, and these highlight the importance of family practices and displaying family. New kinship studies in anthropology have raised questions about the nature of the family. Research on children's conceptualization of family has begun to identify features of 'family-like' relationships. These theories will be discussed in relation to the ambivalence about residential care, current thinking about residential child care and, importantly, the way in which some children and young people use the family metaphor to express their experience. The paper will explore the ways in which this can develop and benefit practice in residential care.

ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.