Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fire-Setting in Adolescence

  • Chapter
Young People in Forensic Mental Health Settings

  • 1342 Accesses

Abstract

The balance between the appeal and risk of fire has resulted in its use as a metaphor (‘playing with fire’, ‘flying close to the flame’, ‘having one’s fingers burnt’). Understanding the fire-setting of adolescents is a pertinent concern. Many young people engage in fire play (MacKay et al. 2009), and it is estimated that between 40 and 50 per cent of arson offences are carried out by young people (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister 2003; Arson Prevention Bureau 2006). Engagement with fire is associated with inherent risks and these are amplified in fires set by young people without adult awareness. Young people may be less likely to properly identify, report or escape from fire (Kafry 1980; Jones and Haney 1985; Jones et al. 1989). Indeed, some young people will die accidentally from fires that they have set (MacKay, Ruttle and Ward 2012).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Adler, R., Nunn, R., Northham, E., Lebnan, V., and Ross, R. (1994) ‘Secondary prevention of childhood firesetting’, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 33: 1194–1202.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • APA (American Psychiatric Association) (2013) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edn. ( DSM-IV). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arson Prevention Bureau (2006) ‘Arson control forum annual report’, Arson Prevention Bureau. Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20061209022624/ http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1504163. Accessed on 01 May 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, S., Smith, C. and Dolan, M. (2001), ‘The social background and nature of “children” who perpetrate violent crimes: A UK perspective’, Journal of Community Psychology, 29: 305–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becker, K.D., Stuewig, J., Herrera, V.M., and McCloskey, L.A. (2004) ‘A study of firesetting and animal cruelty in children: Family influences and adolescent outcomes’, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43 (7): 905–912.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blakemore, S.J. and Choudhury, S. (2006) ‘Development of the adolescent brain: implications for executive function and social cognition’, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47: 296–312.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bradford, J. and Dimock, J. (1986) ‘A comparative study of adolescents and adults who wilfully set fires’, Psychiatric Journal of the University of Ottawa, 11: 228–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bumpass, E.R., Brix, R.J., and Preston, D. (1985) ‘A community-based program for juvenile firesetters’, Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 36: 529–533.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y.H., Arria, A.M., and Anthony, J.C. (2003) ‘Firesetting in adolescence and being aggressive, shy, and rejected by peers: New epidemiologic evidence from a national sample survey’, Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law, 31: 44–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu, C.M., Ward, T., and Willis, G.M. (2014) ‘Practising the Good Lives Model (GLM) ’, in I. Durnescu and F. McNeill (eds.), Understanding Penal Practice. Oxford: Routledge, 206–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dadds, M.R. and Fraser, J.A. (2006) ‘Fire interest, fire setting and psychopathology in Australian children: A normative study’, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 40: 581–586.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Daniel, C.J. (1987) ‘A Stimulus Satiation Treatment Programme with a Young Male Firesetter’, in B.J. McGurk, D.M. Thornton, and M. Williams (eds.), Applying Psychology to Imprisonment: Theory and Practice. n.p., 239–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Bove, G., Caprara, G.V., Pastorelli, C., and Paciello, M. (2008) ‘Juvenile firesetting in Italy: Relationship to aggression, psychopathology, personality, self-efficacy and school functioning’, European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 17: 235–244.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Denholtz, M.S. (1972) ‘At Home: Aversion Treatment for Compulsive Fire Setting Behaviour: Case Report’, in R.B. Rubin, H. Fensterheim, J.D. Henderson, and L.T Ullman (eds.), Advances in Behavior Therapy. New York: Academic Press, n.p.

    Google Scholar 

  • DH (Department of Health) (2007) Best Practice in Managing Risk: Principles and Evidence for Best Practice in the Assessment and Management of Risk to Self and Others in Mental Health Services. London: Department of Health

    Google Scholar 

  • DiMillo, J. (2002) ‘Screening and Triage Tools’, in D. Kolko (ed.), Handbook on Firesetting in Children and Youth. California: Academic Press, n.p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doley, R.M. and Watt, B.D. (2012) ‘Assessment of Firesetters’, in G.L. Dickens, P.A. Sugarman, and T.A. Gannon (eds.), Firesetting and Mental Health. London: RCPsych Publications, n.p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fineman, K.R. (1995) ‘A model for the qualitative analysis of child and adult fire deviant behaviour’, American Journal ofForensic Psychology, 13 (1): 31–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forehand, R., Wierson, M., Frame, C.L., Kemptom, T., and Armistead, L. (1991) ‘Juvenile firesetting: A unique syndrome or an advanced level of antisocial behavior?’, Behaviour Research and Therapy, 29 (2): 125–128.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freud, S. (1932) ‘The acquisition of power over fire’, International Journal ofPsychoanalysis, 13: 705.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritzon, K., Canter, D., and Wilton, Z. (2001) ‘The application of an action system model to destructive behaviour: The examples of arson and terrorism’, Behavioural Sciences and the Law, 19: 657–690.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher-Duffy, J., MacKay, S., Duffy, J., Sullivan-Thomas, M., and Person-Badali, M. (2009) ‘The pictorial Fire Stroop: A measure of processing bias for fire-related stimuli’, Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 37: 1165–1176.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gelhorn, H., Harman, C., Sakai, J., Mikulich-Gilbertson, S., Stallings, M., and Young, S. (2009) ‘An item response theory analysis of DSM-IV conduct disorder’, Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48: 42–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, M., MacKay-Soroka, S., Staley, S., and Poulton, L. (1994) ‘Delinquent firesetters: A comparative study of delinquency and firesetting histories’, Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 39: 230–232.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hardesty, V.A. and Gayton, W.F. (2000) ‘The Problem of Children and Fire: An Historical Perspective’, in D. Kolko (ed.), Handbook on Firesetting in Children and Youth. California: Academic Press, n.p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollin, C.R. and Epps, K.J. (1996) ‘Adolescent Firesetters’, in C.R. Hollin and K. Howells (eds.), Clinical Approaches to Working with Young Offenders. Oxford: John Wiley and Sons, 197–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Icove, D.J. and Estepp, M.H. (1987) ‘Motive-based offender profiles of arson and fire related crime’, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 56: 17–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, H.F., Glass, C., and Hope, S. (1987) ‘A functional analysis of recidivistic arson’, British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 26: 175–185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, R.R. (1985) ‘Child firesetters: A clinical investigation’, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 26 (5): 759–768.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R.T. and Haney, J.I. (1985) ‘Behavior therapy and fire emergencies: Conceptualization, assessment and intervention’, in M. Hersen, R. Eisler, and P. Miller (eds.), Progress in Behaviour Modification, Volume 19, 128–135. Orlando, Fl: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R.T., Ollendick, T.H., McLaughlin, K.J., and Williams, C.E. (1989) ‘Elaborative and behavioural rehearsal in the acquisition of fire emergency skills and the reduction of fear of fire’, Behavior Therapy, 20: 93–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kafry, D. (1980) ‘Playing with Matches: Children and Fire’, in D. Canter (ed.), Fires and Human Behaviour. Chichester: Wiley, n.p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kafry, D., Block, J.H., and Block, J. (1981) Children’s Survival Skills: A Basis for Functioning in Society: Final Report Prepared for the Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Services Research Program. Rockville, MD: Bureau of Community Health Services. (This reference is no longer available but is cited by other authors )

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, I., Heims, L.W., and Reiser, D.I. (1961) ‘A re-evaluation of the psychodynamics of firesetting’, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 31 (1): 123–136.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D. (1983) ‘Multicomponent parental treatment of firesetting in a six-year-old boy’, Journal of Behavior and Experimental Psychology, 14: 349–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D. (1985) ‘Juvenile firesetting: A review and methodological critique’, Clinical Psychology Review, 5: 345–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D.J. (2001) ‘Efficacy of cognitive-behavioural treatment and fire safety education for children who set fires: Initial and follow-up outcomes’, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 42: 359–369.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D.J. (2002) ‘Child, Parent, and Family Treatment: Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions’, in D. Kolko (ed.), Handbook on Firesetting in Children and Youth. California: Academic Press, n.p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D.J. and Kazdin, A.E. (1986) ‘A conceptualization of firesetting in children and adolescents’, Journal ofAbnormal Child Psychology, 14 (1): 49–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D.J. and Kazdin, A.E. (1989a). ‘Assessment of dimensions of childhood firesetting among patients and nonpatients: The Firesetting Risk Interview’, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 29: 157–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D.J. and Kazdin, A.E. (1989b) ‘The children’s firesetting interview with psychiatrically referred and nonreferred children’, Journal ofAbnormal Child Psychology, 17 (6): 609–624.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D.J. and Kazdin, A.E. (1992) ‘The emergence and recurrence of child firesetting: A one-year prospective study’, Journal ofAbnormal Child Psychology, 20 (1): 17–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D.J. and Kazdin, A.E. (1994) ‘Children’s descriptions of their firesetting incidents: Characteristics and relationship to recidivism’, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 33 (1): 114–122.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D.J., Herschell, A.D., and Scharf, D.M. (2006) ‘Education and treatment for boys who set fires: Specificity, moderators and predictors of recidivism’, Journal of Emotional and Behavioural Disorders, 14 (4): 227–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D.J., Kazdin, A., and Meyer, E.C. (1985) ‘Aggression and psychopathology in childhood firesetters: Parent and child reports’, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53: 377–385.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D.J., Bridge, J.A., Day, B.T., and Kazdin, A.E. (2001) ‘Two-year prediction of children’s firesetting in clinically referred and nonreferred samples’, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 42 (3): 371–380.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhnley, E.J., Hendren, R.L., and Quinlan, D.M. (1982) ‘Fire setting by children’, Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 21: 560–563.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacKay, S., Ruttle, E.M., and Ward, A.K. (2012) ‘The Developmental Aspects of Firesetting’, in G.L. Dickens, P.A. Sugarman and T.A. Gannon (eds.), Firesetting and Mental Health. London: RCPsych Publications, n.p.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacKay, S., Feldberg, A., Ward, A.K., and Marton, P. (2012) ‘Research and practice in adolescent firesetting’, Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 39 (6): 842–864.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacKay, S., Paglia-Boak, A., Henderson, J., Marton, P., and Adlaf, E. (2009) ‘Epidemiology of firesetting in adolescents: Mental health and substance use correlates’, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50: 1282–1290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J.M., Thompson-Pope, S.K., and Whited, R.M. (1996) ‘MMPI-A profiles of adolescent boys with a history of firesetting’, Journal of Personality Assessment, 67 (1): 116–126.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, G. (1969) ‘Therapeutic intervention in a child psychiatric emergency service’, Journal of American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 8: 542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) (2013) ‘Antisocial behaviour and conduct disorders in children and young people: recognition, intervention and management’, NICE Clinical Guideline 158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office for the Deputy Prime Minister (2002) The Burning Issue: Research and Strategies for Reducing Arson. London: OPDM Free Literature.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2003) Arson Control Forum Annual Report. London: OPDM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2005) Evaluation of Interventions with Arsonists and Young Firesetters. London: ODPM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrin-Wallqvist, R. and Norlander, T. (2003) ‘Firesetting and playing with fire during childhood and adolescence: Interview studies with 18-year-old male draftees and 18–19-year-old female pupils’, Legal and Criminal Psychology, 8: 151–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinsonneault, I. (2002) ‘Developmental Perspectives on Children and Fire’, in D. Kolko (ed.), Handbook on Firesetting in Children and Youth. California: Academic Press, n.p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Repo, E. and Virkkunen, M. (1997) ‘Young arsonists: History of conduct disorder, psychiatric diagnoses and criminal recidivism’, Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 8 (2): 311–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Root, C., MacKay, S., Henderson, J., Del Bove, G., and Warling, D. (2008) ‘The link between maltreatment and juvenile firesetting: Correlates and underlying mechanisms’, Child Abuse and Neglect, 32: 161–176.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sakheim, G.A. and Osborn, E. (1994) Firesetting Children: Risk Assessment and Treatment. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Showers, J. and Pickrell, E. (1987) ‘Child firesetters: A study of three populations’, Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 38: 495–501.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, D.J. (2014) Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain. New York: Pengu in Group.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Strachan, J.G. (1981) ‘Conspicuous firesetting in children’, British Journal of Psychiatry, 138: 26–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swaffer, T. and Hollin, C.R. (1995) ‘Adolescent firesetting: Why do they say they do it?’, Journal ofAdolescence, 18: 619–623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, T. (2002) ‘Good lives and the rehabilitation of offenders: Promises and problems’, Aggression and Violent Behavior, 7: 513–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welsh, R.S. (1971) ‘The Use of Stimulus Satiation in the Elimination of Juvenile Firesetting Behaviour’, in A.M. Graziano (ed.), Behavior Therapy with Children. Chicago: Aldine Atherton. 283–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, R. (1984) ‘Satiation in the treatment of inappropriate firesetting’, Journal of Behavioural Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 15: 337–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Abigail Willis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Changing Minds Ltd, UK

    Andrew Rogers

  2. King’s College London, UK

    Joel Harvey

  3. Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK

    Heather Law

Copyright information

© 2015 Abigail Willis

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Willis, A. (2015). Fire-Setting in Adolescence. In: Rogers, A., Harvey, J., Law, H. (eds) Young People in Forensic Mental Health Settings. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137359803_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation