NCJ Number
222835
Journal
Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity: Journal of Treatment and Prevention Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: 2008 Pages: 1-13
Date Published
2008
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article examines the applicability of Inconsistent Nurturing as Control Theory (INC Theory) in the context of sex addiction and coaddiction and provides suggestions for future search in this area.
Abstract
Grounded in learning theory principles, Inconsistent Nurturing as Control Theory (INC Theory) is a theory of interpersonal relationships that is clearly articulated, testable, wide in scope, and interdisciplinary. It offers researchers and practitioners a framework for examining and understanding communication, relational dynamics, and recovery outcomes in the addict-coaddict relationship. The INC Theory prediction that sexual coaddicts, after first primarily nurturing and then primarily punishing their partner’s addictive behavior, ultimately end up inconsistently nurturing and punishing their partner’s addictive behavior was the most difficult to verify or refute based on the accounts of the sexual coaddict-sex addict relationship which was provided in existing literature. However, it is argued that INC Theory can be fruitfully applied to sex addiction and coaddiction and can serve as a useful guide for continued scholarly efforts in this area. This article outlines the principal assumptions and predictions made by INC Theory and identifies existing research evidence from other contexts that provides support for the utility of the theory. The theory’s predictions and positions are reviewed and evaluated in light of published explanatory and prescriptive works authored by experienced practitioners in this area. Future research directions are offered with clinical implications of INC Theory outlined. References