Young Adulthood is an Open System: Here’s What Systems Theory Can Teach Us About YA Development
By Jack Vaughan
What do we talk about when we talk about young adulthood? While there are numerous ways to frame this developmental stage, many of our notions and heuristics exist within the confines of treatment modalities and psychological jargon. That said, I’d like to go out on a limb and propose an alternative: what if we looked at young adulthood through the lens of systems theory? What if we classified young adulthood as an open system (which it is) and explored how this kind of perception can subtly shift the way that we engage with struggling young adults. Through our exploration of this alternative framework, we will take a step back from traditional paradigms and examine how we can better support struggling young adults and their transition to independence.
Understanding Systems Theory: Terrariums Vs. Trees
At its most basic level, systems theory provides a way for understanding complex interconnected elements that work together as a cohesive whole. An open system specifically refers to a system that freely exchanges energy, matter, and information with its environment, unlike closed systems which operate in isolation.
A classic example of a closed system is a perfectly sealed terrarium. In this instance, a glass container creates a distinct boundary separating the internal environment from the external world. Once sealed, nothing new enters or exits the system. Eventually, the system reaches a state of equilibrium where plant respiration, photosynthesis, and decomposition achieve balance, but any disruptions to the critical boundaries protecting the system pose a major threat.
On the flip side, an open system would be a tree in the wild. It has permeable boundaries, continuous exchange with external environments, mechanisms that balance internal stability with external demands, adaptability to changing conditions, etc.
Young adulthood is about as far from a sealed terrarium as possible. When viewed through the lens of an open-system, this developmental period reveals itself to be a quintessential open system. It is a developmental stage that exists in a unique space where boundaries are simultaneously forming and dissolving.
Upon closer reflection, the young adult system is characterized by things like:
Permeable boundaries in flux: Young adults navigate shifting boundaries between dependence and independence, between family systems and newly forming social systems, between academic structures and professional ones. These boundaries are not walls but membranes, the place where young adults permit certain influences while developing resistance to others.
Dynamic equilibrium: Young adults constantly recalibrate internal states in response to external demands, achieving an equilibrium that can be either beneficial or detrimental. For instance, the pressure to establish identity while responding to social expectations creates a tension between one’s internal states and external demands. If left unchecked, this dynamic equilibrium can either drive a young person down the right path or in the wrong direction.
Information processing and feedback loops: Young adults absorb tremendous amounts of information from multiple sources—family, peers, institutions, media—and must develop sophisticated internal mechanisms to process this input. Their responses to these stimuli and how they internalize them generates feedback loops that drastically shape their development.
Emergence of complex properties: When we take a step back from viewing young adulthood as merely a collection of developmental tasks, it’s possible to appreciate how entirely new capabilities and identities can emerge seemingly out of nowhere. At a base level, the interaction of the multiple subsystems that function in the young adult domain (cognitive, emotional, social, vocational) create a dynamic space in which puzzling shifts in behavior, identity, and personality can seemingly take effect overnight.
Nonlinear development: Young adult progress is rarely straightforward. Small changes in environmental, psychological, or social conditions can lead to significant shifts in trajectory—a single relationship, opportunity, or challenge can cascade through the system, setting the stage for profound transformations.
When we reframe our understanding of struggling young adults as open systems rather than individuals with pathologies to fix, our approach to support can shift dramatically.
Further Down the Rabbit Hole
If you’ll permit me to go a little further down the rabbit hole, there are a few terms from system’s theory that can shed even more light on young adulthood.
Let’s consider the system’s theory principle called equifinality, which essentially means that multiple paths can lead to the same end. Not surprisingly, studies from Stanford's Youth Development Center have demonstrated that successful transitions to adulthood can follow vastly different trajectories while arriving at similar outcomes.
Then there is the concept of multifinality, which, on the flip-side, states that the same starting point can leading to different outcomes. Research from Harvard's Human Development Lab shows that young adults from similar backgrounds often diverge significantly in their life paths, influenced by what researchers term "contingent events."
Contingent events, according to recent studies in developmental psychology, play a more significant role in young adult outcomes than previously recognized. These pivotal moments, often seemingly random, can dramatically alter developmental trajectories. A chance meeting, an unexpected opportunity, or a sudden challenge can trigger what researchers call "cascade effects," where one change catalyzes a series of subsequent changes.
The impact of convergent events—multiple factors coming together at critical moments—is equally pertinent. Research from the University of Michigan's Life Course Studies Center indicates that major life transitions often result from the confluence of various factors rather than single, decisive moments. This can help explain why identical interventions can produce vastly different results for different young adults.
Key Takeaways
Contemporary research highlights several key principles for supporting young adults within this systems framework:
First, embrace uncertainty. Research shows that parents who understand the role of contingent events help their young adults remain open to unexpected opportunities rather than rigidly adhering to predetermined paths.
Second, recognize patterns rather than isolated events. Studies indicate that successful transitions often involve identifying and responding to emerging patterns rather than focusing on single decisions or moments.
Third, don’t underestimate the power of small changes. Systems theory shows that minor adjustments can lead to significant outcomes through feedback loops and cascade effects.
Fourth, appreciate the role of timing. Studies show that similar interventions can have vastly different effects depending on when they occur within a young adult's developmental trajectory.
Fifth, failure isn’t what it looks like. Parents who recognize that development isn't linear and that setbacks often represent reorganization rather than failure, can help their children to become more resilient in the face of adversity.
Looking Forward
Looking forward, we can all benefit from exploring new ways of thinking about young adulthood. A system’s theory perspective invites us to move beyond traditional treatment modalities that focus on symptom reduction and move toward a more holistic approach that honors the complex, dynamic nature of this life stage. By viewing young adulthood as an open system—constantly exchanging, adapting, and emerging—we can better support young people not just in overcoming challenges but in harnessing the nuances of this developmental phase. Sure, our interventions can focus on "treating" discrete problems, but they will likely be more effective if they are focused on enhancing the system's natural capacity for self-regulation and equilibrium.
A Helpful Resource
At YPM, our team has extensive experience successfully guiding adolescents, young adults and their families through the modern landscape of emerging adulthood. Spanning four continents, our work has helped hundreds of teens, and their families, connect with professional youth mentors and expert clinicians whom they can relate to and learn from.
Our highly skilled mentors are experts at helping their young adult clients curate habit-aligned goals, foster value-driven progress, and activate their potential. With our bespoke approach and discreet care, we can help your struggling loved one mitigate their self-destructive habits and replace them with healthy alternatives. Connect with us today to learn more about how we can help your teen achieve enduring wellness on their own terms and in their own communities.