Equifinality in Family Systems Theory

Child physical abuse risk factors: A systematic review and a meta-analysis

“…When applied to social systems, the principle of equifinality states that similar results "may be reached from different initial conditions and in many different ways" (Bertalanffy, 1969, p. 40). In a family systems context, equifinality is viewed as a characteristic of an open system, which allows for the development of different causal trajectories (Sato et al, 2009) and for the consideration of different theoretical explanations of behavior (Samman & Moreno, 2019). Equifinality is evident in Belsky's (1980) ecological model of CM, where he proposed that a caretaker's maltreating behavior can be caused by different combinations of interacting factors from the individual and other ecological levels.…”

Family systems and obesity: A review of key concepts and influences within and between family subsystems and a call for family‐informed interventions

“…Equifinality is another important concept that aids in a fuller understanding of FST and obesity and is defined as any desired end that can be achieved through a multitude of means (Samman & Moreno, 2018). In FST-informed interventions, clinicians begin with the most efficient and effective treatment to reorganize the family around healthy behaviors, yet families may not always take the most efficient or effective route toward making healthy behavior changes.…”