Final answer:
The anxiety theory of paraphilias posits that these conditions develop as a means to manage anxiety. Neurobiological and cognitive research supports the relationship between anxiety, brain alterations, and paraphilic behaviors. Horney's coping mechanisms may also relate to the development of paraphilic preferences amid efforts to mitigate anxiety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The anxiety theory of paraphilias suggests that paraphilic behaviors manifest to manage or reduce anxiety. Anxiety, as a central emotional state in this theory, is thought to contribute to the development and maintenance of paraphilic disorders. Neurobiological research, such as findings on the immediate early gene expression following acute stress, suggests that the experience of anxiety can lead to alterations in the brain that may be associated with atypical sexual preferences.
Moreover, cognitive theories, like those proposed by Clark and Beck, suggest convergence between anxiety and depression. This may relate to paraphilias in that maladaptive thought patterns contribute to the development of anxiety which, in turn, might be alleviated through paraphilic behaviors.
Similarly, the literature suggests that coping mechanisms developed in response to anxiety, such as those described by Horney including "moving toward," "moving against," and "moving away" from people, can impact adult behaviors, potentially influencing paraphilic tendencies. The "moving toward" coping style relates to dependence and the intense need for love and acceptance, the "moving against" coping style is characterized by aggression and exploitation, and the "moving away" style involves avoidance and self-sufficiency. These coping mechanisms may be thought to underpin certain paraphilic behaviors as maladaptive strategies to handle anxiety.