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Interactive Use of Genograms and Ecomaps in Family Caregiving Research

Interactive Use of Genograms and Ecomaps in Family Caregiving Research 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. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Family Nursing SAGE

Interactive Use of Genograms and Ecomaps in Family Caregiving Research

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References (27)

Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
Copyright © by SAGE Publications
ISSN
1074-8407
eISSN
1552-549X
DOI
10.1177/1074840707307917
pmid
18180467
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

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.

Journal

Journal of Family NursingSAGE

Published: Nov 1, 2007

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