Conceptualizing Sickle Cell Disease and the Family with Intergenerational Family Therapy

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects 100,000 Americans and occurs in one out of every 365 Black or African Americans births, and 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-Americans births. This population has been marginalized within society. Social inequalities and health care disparities are discussed in relation to the role played in receiving adequate care for SCD. Using an intergenerational perspective with the integration of a focused genogram, one can conceptualize and evaluate the intergenerational transmission of caregiving behaviors experienced with SCD. Family therapists can support and advocate for the family unit by better understanding SCD. Lastly, implications and further research are addressed.