Genogram Psychosocial Assessment **4 PAGE PAPER in APA**

Family Themes Study the completed genogram for possible themes or patterns. A theme is a pattern of attitudes, values, and/or behaviors/rituals that exists within and across the generations in how people relate to each other. Look for two or more recurring themes or patterns in your family. Each theme you write about must be: 1. Listed among the six Major Categories of Themes (below); 2. Relational (meaning it impacts the relationships between family members); and 3. Present in some way in at least two generations, but must have impacted all three generations. The genogram and discussions with family members will help you identify intergenerational patterns. Something is considered a pattern if it exists in at least two generations but impacts all three generations. For example, if you are not a parent and/or not in a committed relationship (and have siblings in a similar circumstance), some of these themes may be difficult to apply to your generation. However, your generation may have certain attitudes and expectations toward relationships and children that are similar to those from earlier generations, even if you have not acted upon them yet. You may also include such attitudes/expectations as part of an intergenerational pattern if you clearly show how they are similar to earlier generations. Remember, a pattern may not be obviously present in all three generations. However, the behaviors and ways of relating allow it to continue. For instance, abuse may appear among your grandparents and one of your siblings, but it may have skipped your parents. It is still a theme. Consider how a theme may be expressed in a generation where it is not overtly present. Below is a list of themes from which you will select two themes that apply to your family. When talking with other family members and reflecting on your own observations, think about how the following six themes occur in your family relationships. The themes you select should be the presence of something, not the absence of something. (For instance, the fact that no one in the family has divorced is not acceptable.) You may find recurring patterns of substance abuse, illness, religion, and other patterns that are not listed among the official themes below (and are not included with any detail in the textbook). You may be able to write about these patterns within your themes, but you must include them within the context of the chosen categories below and tie them into those themes, which includes referencing the textbook and following the rest of the criteria for Part II. Major Categories of Themes: 1. Styles of Communication/Conflict (parent-child, couples, siblings, etc.) 2. Relationship Formation/Dissolution (mate selection, marriage/cohabitation/remarriage, divorce, etc.) 3. Parenting (styles, teaching certain values, discipline, fertility/infertility, etc.) 4. Work and Family (gender roles, employment types/amounts, housekeeping, etc.) 5. Sexuality (values, openness/closedness, premarital/extramarital, etc.) 6. Styles of Love/Affection (expressiveness, altruism, jealousy/control, etc.) 7. Known trauma history (ACEs) Please Note: The numbered examples above are not specific themes, but are major categories of themes. Themes are more exact and specific—like the examples provided in parentheses next to each category. On your diagram: 1) With colors or symbols, indicate all the people who carry each specific theme. 2) Include a legend or key that defines your colors/symbols used to identify the themes (see diagram example). Also in the legend, type the titles of two themes that you are choosing and write a brief description of your specific theme. ***What if I can't find any themes or patterns? All families have themes and patterns! You will find them by looking at the information on your diagram and thinking about things that seem to happen in each generation. Look for recurring events or situations. Examples: See section M above. Look for recurring patterns of expectation (they can be spoken or unspoken). Examples: Occupation, choice of partner, family secrets. Look for recurring patterns of behavior. Examples: Gender roles, parenting/discipline styles, cut-offs. Use these questions to help you find themes. -- How do people within the family get along? -- How is conflict handled? -- What issues divide or bring members of the family together? -- What roles exist in each generation? -- How do members of the family interact emotionally? -- How is affection expressed? -- Do men and women express the same emotions differently? -- What is the cultural background of your family, and how are its traditions passed on across generations? ***What if I'm missing information? Don't panic. Start right away to gather information. If you are unable to obtain information about certain family members, look at the reasons why it is unavailable. This may help you understand the way your family communicates and may reveal how family secrets are perpetuated. Look to see if this is a pattern in the family. In your theme description narrative (see below), write 3-4 sentences explaining why any missing information is not possible to obtain. If an explanation is not provided, points will be taken off for missing information.