Adoptive Family Genogram
An adoptive family genogram featuring both biological and adopted children. Includes one child adopted internationally from China, one adopted...
Interactive Adoptive Family Genogram
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About This Genogram
An adoptive family genogram featuring both biological and adopted children. Includes one child adopted internationally from China, one adopted domestically through an open adoption with birth mother contact, and one biological child. Illustrates birth parent connections, adoption adjustment, and the dynamics of mixed-origin families.
Key Patterns in This Genogram
Family Structure
How this family structure is represented using standard genogram notation.
Relationship Patterns
Key relationship dynamics and emotional bonds within the family system.
Clinical Application
How professionals use this type of genogram in assessment and treatment.
Family Analysis
This 3-generation genogram maps 13 family members with birth years spanning from 1950 to 2015, comprising 5 males and 8 females (1 deceased). The genogram tracks 6 medical/psychological condition categories and 1 emotional relationship type across 3 documented dyads. The index patient is Lily Grant (b. 2009), high school student.
The family system encompasses 3 generations with distinct patterns at each level. The oldest generation includes Richard, Barbara, Helen and 1 other, with 2 presenting documented conditions. The middle generation includes Thomas, Sarah, Unknown and 1 other, with 1 presenting documented conditions. The youngest generation includes Lily, Mia, Noah and 2 others, with 2 presenting documented conditions.
Emotional relationship mapping reveals 3 close relationships. Specific patterns include a close relationship between Ashley and Mia, a close relationship between Sarah and Ashley, a close relationship between Lily and Mia.
Medical and psychological conditions are documented in 5 of 13 family members (38%). Cardiovascular conditions appears in 1 member (Richard). Reproductive appears in 1 member (Sarah). Anxiety-spectrum conditions appears in 1 member (Lily). Comorbidity is observed in 1 family member, with Lily presenting 2 concurrent condition categories.
This genogram illustrates how family structure shapes individual development and relational patterns. The presence of adopted child connections highlights the complexity of modern family systems beyond traditional biological models. Professionals working with families of this structure can use the genogram to normalize diverse family configurations and identify both strengths and areas for growth in the family system.
Genogram Symbols Used in This Example
The following standard genogram symbols appear in the Adoptive Family Genogram. Each symbol follows McGoldrick and Gerson clinical notation conventions.
Person Symbols
- Male (Square)
- A square represents a male family member in standard genogram notation.
- Female (Circle)
- A circle represents a female family member in standard genogram notation.
Status Markers
- Deceased (X)
- An X drawn through the symbol indicates the person is deceased.
- Index Patient (Arrow)
- An arrow pointing to a person identifies them as the index patient — the individual who is the focus of the clinical assessment.
Structural Relationships
- Marriage
- A solid horizontal line connecting two individuals represents a marriage or committed partnership.
- Parent-Child
- A vertical line descending from a couple line to a child symbol represents a parent-child relationship.
Child Connection Types
- Biological Child
- A solid vertical line from parent to child indicates a biological relationship.
- Adopted Child
- A dashed vertical line with brackets indicates an adopted child.
Emotional Relationships
- Close
- Two parallel lines between individuals represent an emotionally close relationship.
Medical Conditions
- Anxiety Conditions
- Shading in the genogram symbol indicates anxiety-spectrum diagnoses (GAD, panic disorder, phobias, OCD).
- Depressive Disorders
- Shading indicates depressive conditions (major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder).
- Mental Health Conditions
- Shading indicates psychological or psychiatric conditions beyond anxiety and depression.
- Cardiovascular Conditions
- Shading indicates heart disease, hypertension, stroke, or other cardiovascular conditions.
- Cancer
- Shading indicates any cancer diagnosis, with specifics noted in the individual's record.
Related Resources
- Browse our genogram templates to find structures similar to this example.
- See our 3-generation genogram guide for standard multigenerational mapping techniques.
- This example uses the close relationship symbol to denote emotional closeness between family members.
- The deceased symbol (X through the shape) marks family members who have passed away.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Educational disclaimer: This genogram example is an educational illustration of genogram notation and family systems concepts. Examples based on public figures use publicly available information. They are not clinical documents. All examples are intended for learning genogram symbols and patterns.