Genogram figure
Summary
The family described here has three generations. The paternal grandparents MN and KN were both social workers employed by the State until their retirement. KN died 5 years after her retirement after losing her long battle with breast cancer and incidences of Heart Failure. The inconsistencies in seeking chemotherapy and mediation in post-retirement led to the demise of KN few years into retirement which was attributed to the financial instability within the family. MN on the other hand has developed depression since the death of his wife and the unstable family relationships across the extended family (Becvar & Becvar, 2012). He is currently under medication while also working to stabilize his automobile spare part outlet which he has been managing with his DN. The maternal grandparents have separated for six years now due to PT’s alcohol addiction and heavy drinking which at times has resulted to domestic violence. Currently, the wife, GP is living in a community care service for the elderly under the support of a non-governmental organization. PT’s drinking problems have remained as before and his health has been deteriorating in recent days.
Among the siblings, relationships have been otherwise inconsistent except for one set of siblings SP and KS who have been the source of support for the family. DN married to FP have had a broken marriage and currently divorced due to economic strain and a habit of drinking by DN which has been part of the issues causing depression to the father, MN. They have a five-year old son TD who currently lives with the mother in a low-income estate in the outskirts of the city. In the paternal side, a history of illnesses is manifested with cardiac and heart failure reported in the first generation (KN), cardiac arrest in the second generation (TN’s death was due to cardiac arrest) and in the third generation where four year old Betty was diagnosed with jaundice at birth (Nicoll & Hawes, 2013). HT and VN are a couple living together but in a non-marital relationship that has been otherwise consistent but not legally recognized. They have two children, Lanesra, six years old and Betty four year old. This family has lived in another state and they have for a time distanced themselves from the larger family. This couple is employed, with HT as a truck driver with a delivery company and VN as a clerk in a pharmaceutical firm.
There exist no notable social networks within the family and there have been only two family meetings for the last five years all which were related to the death of two family members; KN and TN (Nicoll & Hawes, 2013). There has been no indication of any substantial religious association within the family. While the family structure indicates high independence across all generations save for the young/third generation, the independence has more been forced by circumstances than by will and ability (Crain, 2011).
References
Becvar, D. S., & Becvar, R. J. (2012). Family therapy: A systemic integration. Pearson Higher Ed.
Crain, W. (2011). Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Nicoll, W. G., & Hawes, E. C. (2013). Family lifestyle assessment: The role of family myths and values in the client’s presenting issues. Techniques In Adlerian Psychology, 41(2), 441.
