This paper presents a Relational Competence Ecomap (RC-Ecomap), an innovative assessment tool derived from Relational Competence Theory. The RC-Ecomap addresses limitations of previous ecomap models by operationalizing theoretical constructs and allowing both idiographic and nomothetic analysis of relationship data. Administration involves recording relationship information across settings, analyzing data through log-linear models and testing, and graphically representing results. Preliminary studies found the RC-Ecomap provides a theory-based, flexible, and quantitative/qualitative approach to evaluating significant relationships. Further validation is ongoing through collaborations.

1. 1
Relational
Competence
Ecomap
(RC-Ecomap)
Walter Colesso
University of Padova
Italy
Padova, 10th of December, 2009

2. 2
RC-Ecomap: Presentation
1. This paper represents an innovative proposal
for the use of an ecomap which utilizes models
and dimensions derived by Relational
Competence Theory (L’Abate, 1993) and
allows the analyses of data through log-linear
models and classical testing at different levels
obtaining indexes and parameters justified by
statistical significance.

3. 3
Ecomap is an Ecological Map
2. (a) Since Lewin (1935) conceptions of psychological
settings and/or modalities for studying the relationship
between behavior and environment have multiplied to
constitute the Ecological Paradigm.
(b) This Paradigm is a conceptual orientation, a
perspective resulting from the synthesis of contributions
by many authors: Kelly (1966, 1990), Conoley & Haynes
(1992),Seidman (1988, 1990), Bronfenbrenner (1979),
Foa and Foa (1974).
(c) The ecological paradigm suggested the use of an
EcoMap as a tool for assessing individuals, couples, and
families (Hartman, 1995).

4. 4/1
Ecomap is an assessment tool
3. (a) The EcoMap monitors elements of human ecology that
represent our intimate relationships and the social systems
created by individuals willing to interact more effectively with
both the physical and the social environment they live and work
in.
(b) Several editions of the EcoMap have been proposed (Calix,
2004; Early, Carpenter-Aeby, Aeby, & Boyd, 2007; Hodge,
2000; Ray & Street, 2005; Smith, Todd, & Beem, 2000)
according to different objectives and observational levels.
All these contributions remain within the exclusive range of
qualitative evaluations by graphical representation.
No convergent uniformity has been reached.
(c) The Disadvantages of the EcoMap (Calix, 2004):
- inadequate or inexact terminology that makes it difficult
to determine the exact nature of the relationships.
- no data about its reliability and validity;

5. 4/2
An Ecomap Model

6. 5
EcoMap and Social Network Analysis
4. (a) Carrà Mittini (2008) defines the EcoMap as an ego-
centered Social Network representation.
According to this prespective, it can be analyzed by Social
Network methods:
- Sociogram rapresentation;
- Property Network Indices
(Centrality, Density, Betweenness, Reciprocity,
Degree, Average Path Length)
(b) Disvantages of this prespective: Marin & Wellman
(2009) criticize that: “Social network analyses is neither a
theory nor a methodology. Rather, it is a perspective or a
paradigm. Unlike a theory, social network analysis
provides a way of looking at a problem, but it does not
predict what we will see (p. 17).”

7. 6
Ecomap: the new proposal (RC-Ecomap)
5. The lack of an agreed upon the theoretical base for the
conceptualization of settings, contexts and relational
exchanges makes it complex to determine the dimensions
of a social network, facilitating the diffusion/proliferation of
methodologies not always sustained by a sufficient
theoretical clarity (Prezza & Principiato, 2002).
6. Our new proposal allows to:
I. Identify an acceptable/exaustive conceptual
framework within Enviromental Relational Theory;
II. Operazionalize constructs as emerged by EcoMap
informations and justify by the literature.

8. 7
RC-Ecomap: Relational Enviromental Theory
6.1 Relational Competence Theory (L’Abate, 1995,
2000, 2005) proposes precisely operazionalized
models for:
- (I) Settings: objective (Model3) and subjective
(Model1);
- (II) Resources and Modalities (Model7);
- (III) Priorities (Model12).

9. 8
Creation of RC-Ecomap
6.2 Specifically the RC-Ecomap uses the following
constructs derived from Relational Competence Theory
(L’Abate, 1995, 2000, 2005) :
(I) settings: home, work, survival, and enjoyment;
(II) relationships evaluated within each setting according to the
dimensions of frequency and quality.
(III) contents
Resouces: money, goods, services, information, importance, intimacy.
Modalies: Being (importance + intimacy), Doing (information +
services), Having (goods + money).
Constructs: Power (Doing + Having), Presence (Being)

10. 9
RC-Ecomap: How to use it
7. RC-Ecomap includes three phases:
(I) recording the subject’s answers;
(II) elaborating the data with:
- idiographic analysis (log-linear models)
- nomotethic analysis (classical testing)
(III) graphically representing the subject relational network
for diagnosis and/or intervention.

11. 10
RC-Ecomap: recording answer
7.1 The data collected refer to the subject’s
relationships and commitments in given contexts: work,
family, survival, and enjoyment.

12. 11
RC-Ecomap: inserting data
7.2 The answered
obtained are
recorded in a
Basic Data Table
(excel sheet).
A first evaluation
allows clinical
questions and the
reading of select
indices to then be
placed in cross
tables for Log-
linear analysis.

13. 12
RC-Ecomap: idiographic analysis by Log-linear models
7.3 Here an
example of Log-
linear analysis
results obtained
with a Log-linear
programm based
on an Excel
sheet created by
Sanchez (2007):
It is easy and
fast to use.
John (55 y.o.) has been
married to Mary (58
y.o.) since 1979.
They have two daughters
(27 and 22 y.o.).
John has been having an
extra-marital affair
since 2007.

14. 13
RC-Ecomap: graphic representation of data (2 Ecomaps)
7.4
Log-linear
parameters are
here graphically
represented for
the Rc-Ecomap
Such
representation is
a useful
diagnostic and
clinical tools.

15. 14
RC-Ecomap: graphic representation of data (1 RC-Ecomap)

16. 15
RC-Ecomap: graphic representation of data (4 RC-Ecomaps)
figlio17ne
figlio22ne
madre
padre
casa lavoro
collega collega
43 insegnante
49 62
potere amic a madre collega 46 compagnacompagna
amic a madre 58 potere
negoziato 46 19 19 negoziato
capo 46
50 gruppo
cuoca compagno
18
compagno 18
amic o 17
presenza 17 17
amic o presenza
condiv isa amic o condiv isa
amic a 17 18
47 45 compagno
22 17 47 amic a
47 barista
potere barista 24 amic a 52 potere
negoziato 46 parrucchiera negoziato
barista 18 amic a
46
capo
squadra 34
parruch. 35
cognato
22 35
medic o 55 51 17
76 18 amic a 45 dirig.sport
presenza amic o presenza
condiv isa cassiera 50 31 nonno 24 amic o allenatore condiv isa
41 43
edicolante 30 medic o 64 parrucchiera 19 cognato
amic o
medic o cugi-
ambienti di necessità ambienti di scelta

17. Ecomap: nomothetic analysis. 16
7.5 The RC-Ecomap
Indices obtained from
the Basic Data Table
can be considered as
discrete variables of
weighted measures:
They can then be
processed by
classical testing.
However, we decided to
use non parametric
statistics for both the
nature of the
weighted scores and
precaution.

18. 17
RC-Ecomap: Conclusions
8. The RC-Ecomap Contextual indices (general and/or
specific) allow to evaluate variables till today now difficult
to quantify and analyze.
Therefore, the RC-EcoMap appears to be an assessment
tool:
- theory-related:
- flexible in its application and usable
- qualitative and quantitative (i.e. idiographic and
nomothetic)
Sanchez program (2007) will be shortly completed with the
an evaluation of the effect sizes. The work is in progress!!

19. 18
RC-Ecomap: Publications
• Colesso, W., & Cusinato, M. (2009). Relational Competence Ecomap (RC-
Ecomap). Paper presentato al 10th European Conference on Psychological
Assessment. Ghent, Belgium, 16-19 settembre. In J.R.J. Fontaine e M.
Schittekate, Book of Abstracts of the 10th European Conference on
Psychological Assessment, (p. 67). Ghent University.
• Cusinato, M., & Colesso, W. (2009). Ecomappa di competenza relazionale
(RC-Ecomap). Uno strumento per l’assessment delle relazioni significative.
Counseling. Accepted for pubblication.
• Colesso, W, & Cusinato, M. (2009). Studio delle relazioni significative con RC-
Ecomap nella ricerca psicosociale. Psicologia Sociale. Accepted for
submitting.
• L’Abate, L., Cusinato, M., Maino, E., Colesso, W., & Scilletta, C. (2010).
Relational Competence Theory: research and Mental Health Applications. New
York: Springer. In press.

20. 19
RC-Ecomap: a collaboration with Sevilla University
• La familia de el joven terapeuta
- 1 Consentimientos informado.
- 1 Ecomapa.
- 1 Cuestionarios de estilos parentales.
- 1Cuestionario de datos del genograma.
Para otra persona de la misma edad, sexo y nivel de formación
(que no sea estudiante de psicología).
1- Consentimiento informado.
1- Ecomapa.
1- Cuestionario de estilos parentales.

21. 20
RC-Ecomap
Thank You
walter.colesso@unipd.it