TY - JOUR
T1 - Interactive Use of Genograms and Ecomaps in Family Caregiving Research
AU - Rempel, Gwen R.
AU - Neufeld, Anne
AU - Kushner, Kaysi Eastlick
PY - 2007/11
Y1 - 2007/11
N2 - This article argues for the concurrent and comparative use of genograms and ecomaps in family caregiving research. A genogram is a graphic portrayal of the composition and structure of one's family and an ecomap is a graphic portrayal of personal and family social relationships. Although development and utilization of genograms and ecomaps is rooted in clinical practice with families, as research tools they provide data that can enhance the researcher's understanding of family member experiences. In qualitative research of the supportive and nonsupportive interactions experienced by male family caregivers, the interactive use of genograms and ecomaps (a) facilitated increased understanding of social networks as a context for caregiving, (b) promoted a relational process between researcher and participant, and (c) uncovered findings such as unrealized potential in the participant's social network that may not be revealed with the use of the genogram or ecomap alone, or the noncomparative use of both.
AB - This article argues for the concurrent and comparative use of genograms and ecomaps in family caregiving research. A genogram is a graphic portrayal of the composition and structure of one's family and an ecomap is a graphic portrayal of personal and family social relationships. Although development and utilization of genograms and ecomaps is rooted in clinical practice with families, as research tools they provide data that can enhance the researcher's understanding of family member experiences. In qualitative research of the supportive and nonsupportive interactions experienced by male family caregivers, the interactive use of genograms and ecomaps (a) facilitated increased understanding of social networks as a context for caregiving, (b) promoted a relational process between researcher and participant, and (c) uncovered findings such as unrealized potential in the participant's social network that may not be revealed with the use of the genogram or ecomap alone, or the noncomparative use of both.
KW - ecomaps
KW - family caregiving
KW - genograms
KW - qualitative methods
KW - social support
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=38749114289&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1074840707307917
DO - 10.1177/1074840707307917
M3 - Journal Article
C2 - 18180467
AN - SCOPUS:38749114289
SN - 1074-8407
VL - 13
SP - 403
EP - 419
JO - Journal of Family Nursing
JF - Journal of Family Nursing
IS - 4
ER -