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Emotional Relationship Lines Explained
Open the relationship picker in EasyGenogram and you'll find more than 20 emotional line types. Picking the right one gets easier once you know how they're organized.
Structural vs. Emotional Lines
Structural lines show the legal and biological architecture of a family; marriage, divorce, parent-child, etc. Emotional lines are a separate layer entirely; they describe the quality of a bond, and they can connect any two people, not just couples.
For the structural side, see How to Read a Genogram.
The Emotional Spectrum
The easiest way to know the full set is as a rough spectrum:
- Positive/close: Close, Fused, Harmony.
- Neutral or thinning: Distant, Indifferent.
- Severed: Cutoff.
- Conflictual: Conflict, Distrust, Hate.
- Escalated: Hostile, Controlling, Manipulative.
- Abusive: Abuse, Violence.
Most lines sit closer to one end or the other.
The combo lines (more below) mix a position on this spectrum with a level of closeness, which is why they exist as their own category.
For the full visual reference to every line, see Genogram Relationship Symbols.
Directional vs. Non-Directional Lines
Some emotional lines carry direction, an arrow showing who the dynamic flows from and to. Others don't.
Directional lines (e.g., Hostile, Abuse, Controlling, Manipulative, Focused On, and the combo lines) work the same way across the board: the first person you click is the one initiating or directing the dynamic, the second is the one receiving it. If the dynamic runs both ways, add the line twice, once per direction.
Non-directional lines (e.g., Close, Fused, Conflict, Distant, Cutoff, Hate, Distrust, Indifferent) represent a shared, mutual state.
How Lines Combine
A handful of lines are combinations: Close-Hostile, Fused-Hostile, Distant-Hostile.
Each pairs a base relationship (how much contact, how much closeness) with a conflict marker layered on top.
Choosing the Right Line
When you're not sure which line fits, start more general and adjust later.
Conflict is a safer default than Hostile if you're unsure how intense the dynamic actually is.
You can always update the line once you know more.
FAQ
What's the difference between structural and emotional lines in a genogram?
Structural lines show legal and biological connections, marriage, divorce, parentage. Emotional lines show the quality of a bond and can connect any two people, not just couples.
Are all emotional lines in EasyGenogram directional?
No. Lines like Hostile, Abuse, and Controlling are directional and follow a click-order rule. Lines like Close, Conflict, and Cutoff are non-directional and represent a shared, mutual state.
Can a relationship have more than one emotional line at once?
Yes. It's common for a pair to have a structural line (like marriage) plus an emotional line, and the emotional line itself can be layered, as with the combo lines like Close-Hostile.
What's the safest emotional line to use in a geogram if I'm not sure which fits?
Start with the more general option and adjust later. For conflict-type dynamics, Conflict is a safer starting point than Hostile unless you're confident the relationship is more intense than that.
Do emotional lines ever need to be updated later?
Yes. A genogram reflects the family at the time it was drawn. If a relationship changes, e.g., from close to distant, or cutoff to reconciled, update the line to match rather than leaving the old one in place.
Sources
- Genograms: Assessment and Intervention (3rd ed.)