Relationship Lines Reference
A comprehensive teaching genogram focused on demonstrating all emotional relationship line types used in genogram notation. Each emotional connection...
Interactive Relationship Lines Reference
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About This Genogram
A comprehensive teaching genogram focused on demonstrating all emotional relationship line types used in genogram notation. Each emotional connection between family members is annotated with an explanation of the line style, its clinical meaning, and when it would be used in practice. Includes close, fused, conflict, hostile, distant, estranged, cutoff-repaired, abuse, focused-on, and additional line types. Pure visual reference for students and clinicians.
Key Patterns in This Genogram
Symbol Reference
Standard genogram symbols and notation demonstrated in context.
Template Structure
Proper genogram layout and organization for academic assignments.
Learning Framework
A teaching tool for understanding family systems theory in practice.
Pattern Analysis
This 3-generation genogram maps 10 family members with birth years spanning from 1945 to 2005, comprising 6 males and 4 females. The genogram tracks 2 medical/psychological condition categories and 13 emotional relationship types across 14 documented dyads. The index patient is Hannah Simmons (b. 2002), college student.
The family system encompasses 3 generations with distinct patterns at each level. The oldest generation includes Arthur, Betty, Victor and 1 other. The middle generation includes Craig, Diane, Edward and 1 other, with 1 presenting documented conditions. The youngest generation includes Hannah, Ian, with 1 presenting documented conditions.
Emotional relationship mapping reveals 1 harmony relationship, 2 close relationships, 1 fused/enmeshed relationship, 1 distant relationship, 1 conflictual relationship, 1 hostile relationship, 1 fused_conflict relationship, 1 estranged relationship, 1 cutoff_repaired relationship, 1 focused-on relationship, 1 love relationship, 1 friendship relationship, 1 indifferent relationship. Specific patterns include a harmony relationship between Arthur and Betty, a close relationship between Victor and Wendy, a fused/enmeshed relationship between Betty and Craig. The co-occurrence of fused and conflictual relationships suggests a family system with poorly differentiated boundaries, where emotional intensity oscillates between enmeshment and discord.
Medical and psychological conditions are documented in 2 of 10 family members (20%). Substance appears in 1 member (Frank). Anxiety-spectrum conditions appears in 1 member (Ian).
As a teaching resource, this genogram demonstrates standard McGoldrick–Gerson notation in a realistic family context. Students can practice identifying key patterns: multigenerational transmission, family life cycle stages, and the interplay between structural relationships and emotional processes. The example integrates both medical and emotional overlays, making it suitable for advanced coursework in family therapy and family medicine.
Genogram Symbols Used in This Example
The following standard genogram symbols appear in the Relationship Lines Reference. 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
- 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.
Emotional Relationships
- Close
- Two parallel lines between individuals represent an emotionally close relationship.
- Distant
- A dotted line represents an emotionally distant or disengaged relationship.
- Conflict
- A zigzag line between individuals represents an openly conflictual relationship.
- Fused/Enmeshed
- Three parallel lines with a zigzag overlay represent a fused relationship — emotionally intense with poor boundaries.
- Hostile
- A zigzag line with an arrow indicates a hostile, one-directional aggressive dynamic.
- Focused On
- A line with an arrow indicates one person is excessively focused on or caretaking another.
- Friendship
- A single wavy line between individuals indicates a friendship or supportive non-family bond.
Medical Conditions
- Anxiety Conditions
- Shading in the genogram symbol indicates anxiety-spectrum diagnoses (GAD, panic disorder, phobias, OCD).
Related Resources
- Use this example as a reference for genogram assignments in family therapy courses.
- Our guide for genograms for psychology students explains the notation used in this example.
- Start with simple genogram examples if you are new to genogram notation.
- This example uses the close relationship symbol to denote emotional closeness between family members.
- The fused relationship symbol indicates enmeshed boundaries in this family system.
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.