The statement that depression may be caused by physical injury, loss of a loved one, or substance abuse illustrates which concept?

The statement that depression may be caused by physical injury, loss of a loved one, or substance abuse illustrates which concept?

• A. Equifinality
• B. Comorbidity
• C. Adaptive Functioning
• D. Etiology

Answer: (A)

Equifinality means that many different starting points or causes can lead to the same outcome. In this example, depression can arise from a physical injury, the loss of a loved one, or substance abuse—different pathways that all converge on the same result. That multiplicity of routes to the same condition is the essence of equifinality. Other options don’t fit as well. Etiology refers to the cause of a disorder, but the statement emphasizes multiple possible causes rather than a single identifiable cause. Comorbidity would involve depression occurring alongside another disorder, which isn’t what the stem describes. Adaptive functioning is about how a person copes or functions, not about how different causes can produce the same condition.

Equifinality means that many different starting points or causes can lead to the same outcome. In this example, depression can arise from a physical injury, the loss of a loved one, or substance abuse—different pathways that all converge on the same result. That multiplicity of routes to the same condition is the essence of equifinality.

Other options don’t fit as well. Etiology refers to the cause of a disorder, but the statement emphasizes multiple possible causes rather than a single identifiable cause. Comorbidity would involve depression occurring alongside another disorder, which isn’t what the stem describes. Adaptive functioning is about how a person copes or functions, not about how different causes can produce the same condition.