How a Genogram Can Help in Therapy

The Hernandez case based on the genogram below indicates that Elena suffers from diabetes and Juan from back issues related to work. Money is tight because of the socio-economic conditions of the family. Juan drinks on the weekends but is not alcoholic. His weekend drinking is described as "blowing off steam." The parents have been referred because of the nature of their disciplining of their children. Their own childhoods have been fraught with abuse and physical violence from their parents which is depicted in the genogram below. The hostility that Juan and Elena show towards their children may originate in their own childhood experiences; however, the two have not been physically violent. The disciplinary methods used by the two may be the result of a lack of patience on their part in dealing with their children's developmental issues. The main issue that may be leading to the social worker interview is that Juan and Elena come from a culture in which disciplinary actions may be considered harsh by American standards. Their own childhood was not without harsh disciplinary measures so what may seem normal for them is most likely not viewed the same way by American standards.

The genogram below can help to illustrate the relationship of the Hernandez family. It shows that there is a hostile relationship between the parents and the children that stems from the abusive relationships that they themselves endured in their own families when they were young. As Sturge-Apple, Davies and Cummings (2010) indicate, "homes characterized by high levels of interparental discord evidence greater perturbations in parenting and emotional unavailability" and this appears to be very much the case with Juan and Elena, judging by the genogram history (p. 1320). The genogram below does not indicate the drinking as a factor in Juan's behavior or medical history as it is not considered an issue and has not been a factor in any of the situations for which the social worker was utilized. However, the need to blow off steam may indicate a high stress level that is being manifested in the way he treats his children. The extent of Juan's stress may need to be uncovered by future visits with the social worker and as the causes of stress are identified practical solutions may be developed to help mitigate the risk of adverse outcomes due to stress build-up. The same may be true for Elena and will need to be investigated further.

References

Sturge-Apple, M., Davies, P., Cummings, E. (2010). Typologies of family functioning and children's adjustment during the early school years. Child Development, 81(4): 1320-1335.