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In psychology, equifinality refers to how different early experiences in life (e.g., parental divorce, physical abuse, parental substance abuse) can lead to similar outcomes (e.g., childhood depression). In other words, there are many different early experiences that can lead to the same psychological disorder.

For describing prior pathways to an observed state, equifinality means that a given observed state may be the result of varying past experiences, whereas multifinality means that differences in a given state may be the result of a shared past experience.

1. Patrick Bateson maintains that equifinality is exactly what play teaches.
2. In archaeology, equifinality refers to how different historical processes may lead to a similar outcome or social formation.
3. There may, however, be other ways to acquire even these benefits of play : the concept of equifinality.

Multifinality literally means “many ends.” This refers to people having similar histories (e.g., child sexual abuse, death of a parent, or a secure attachment history) yet their developmental outcomes can vary widely. One child might be well-adjusted yet another child might develop clinical depression.

Multifinality is when one cause can have multiple/many final manifestations. Equifinality is when one symptom could be caused by multiple things.

equifinality Pronunciation. equi·fi·nal·i·ty.

Adolescence (10-19 years) is a unique and formative time. Multiple physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in adolescents. At any given time, one in eight adolescents meets clinical criteria for an anxiety disorder 11. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder Box 1.