Interactive Use of Genograms and Ecomaps in Family Caregiving Research

Gwen R. Rempel, Anne Neufeld, Kaysi Eastlick Kushner

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

    103 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    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.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)403-419
    Number of pages17
    JournalJournal of Family Nursing
    Volume13
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov. 2007

    Keywords

    • ecomaps
    • family caregiving
    • genograms
    • qualitative methods
    • social support

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