GENOGRAM AS A TOOL FOR RESTORING INTERGENERATIONAL CONTINUITY IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FAMILY CHRONOTOP

Abstract

The article examines the theoretical, methodological, and applied aspects of using the genogram as a strategic tool for restoring intergenerational continuity in the process of reconstructing the family chronotope. The relevance of the study is determined by the critical condition of collective and individual memory in Ukrainian society amid large-scale historical ruptures, military aggression, and mass migration processes. These factors lead to the destruction of the family chronotope – the integral unity of the temporal and spatial coordinates of the lineage, which serves as the foundation of personal identity. The phenomenon of the destruction of genealogical continuity is analyzed, where spatial alienation and sudden anthropological losses create structural ruptures in the family’s historical narrative, resulting in the collapse of the integral family chronotope The authors consider the genogram not only as a graphic method of collecting genealogical data but also as a powerful therapeutic instrument for reconstructing a deformed system of intergenerational connections. The study reveals the mechanisms of transgenerational transmission of traumas, secrets, and destructive behavioral patterns, which, under conditions of a disrupted chronotope, transform into «blank spots» that provoke existential anxiety and a loss of life orientation among descendants. Particular attention is paid to the genesis of the method, including the contribution of the Palo Alto group, as well as the concepts of family systems theory, relational ethics, and invisible loyalties. Within the framework of the research, a step-by-step algorithm for restoring intergenerational continuity is proposed, including the level of comprehending factual data (chronos), reflection on emotional bonds, and the application of symbolic reconstruction techniques. It is demonstrated that the conscious filling of informational gaps and the legitimization of «figures of silence» make it possible to structure the vertical time of the lineage and restore connections with «places of power». As a result of genogram analysis, the subjective perception of the family past is transformed: traumatic experience becomes integrated into personal history, thereby freeing the individual from the automatic repetition of ancestral scenarios. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the synthesis of the literary concept of the «chronotope» with methods of systemic family psychotherapy to address identity problems in crisis conditions. The practical significance of the findings consists in the possibility of applying the proposed approaches in clinical practice, social rehabilitation, and self-help programs aimed at restoring narrative integrity and strengthening psychological resilience through engagement with the resources of one’s lineage.