The link between maltreatment and juvenile firesetting: Correlates and underlying mechanisms

Root, Carol A.; MacKay, Sherri; Henderson, Joanna; Bove, Giannetta Del; Warling, Diane

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.07.004

Cited by 55 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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Section: Developmental Featuressupporting

confidence: 64%

“…Such experiences are highly likely to negatively affect a childÕs ability to form secure attachments with caregivers (Perry, 1997), and also their ability to develop appropriate social skills and affective self regulatory behavior during adolescence and adulthood (Ainsworth, 1989;Bowlby, 1969Bowlby, , 1973Root, MacKay, Henderson, Del Bove, & Warling, 2008). In support of this hypothesis, Root et al (2008) have demonstrated that the link between developmental abuse and juvenile firesetting is mediated by affective and behavioral difficulties, although it is unclear from this study whether the same link persists into adulthood.To our knowledge, there are no studies that focus on firesettersÕ childhood or adult attachment styles and compare the prevalence of these to adequate non-firesetter control groups. However, a number of professionals have observed seemingly dysfunctional attachment styles in firesetters as a result of pathogenic caregiving experiences (Focus Adolescent Services, 2009;RŠsŠnen, Puumalainen, Janhonen, & VŠisŠnen, 1996).…”

supporting

confidence: 64%

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Firesetting: Psychopathology, theory and treatment

Gannon

Pina

2010

Aggression and Violent Behavior

103

136

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In this paper, we comprehensively review the characteristics of adult firesetters, and the etiological features of firesetting. In particular, we pay attention to contemporary research available regarding the core traits and psychopathological features required to understand firesetters, and the classificatory systems and etiological theories developed to understand firesetting. This evaluation of contemporary research suggests that clinical knowledge and practice relating to firesetting is extremely underdeveloped relative to other areas of forensicclinical psychology. We conclude that there are very few etiological theories available to guide consulting clinicians in this area, and little information available specifying the exact criminogenic needs associated with firesetters, or how these needs compare to other offender groups. The significant lack of contemporary treatment programs designed to target firesetting behavior is also noted. We conclude by highlighting core areas for future research and treatment progression. Latest available statistics show that around 323,900 intentionally set fires were recorded by US fire departments in 2005 and these fires caused 490 deaths, 9,100 injuries, and created over 1 billion dollars of costs relating to property destruction (Hall, 2007). Given the enormous societal costs associated with intentional firesetting, it is curious that current psychological understanding of this act is relatively underdeveloped, especially when one compares the extant firesetting literature to that relating to violence or sexual offending. The only existing reviews on firesetting behavior have tended either to focus solely upon child and juvenile firesetters (Kolko, 1985), or have approached firesetting from a psychiatric perspective (Blumberg, 1981;Geller, 1987;Geller, 2008;Ritchie & Huff, 1999). Thus, there is a strong need for a psychologically-informed review on firesetting for consulting clinicians and forensic psychologists who work with adult firesetters.Our paper does not intend to provide an exhaustive review of firesetting since to do so would entail numerous historical pieces. However, we do aim to provide a comprehensive and contemporary overview of the diagnostic criteria, etiological features, theory, and treatment relevant to adult firesetting. Our main aim is to provide clinical practitioners with a comprehensive psychological understanding of adult firesetters, paying particular attention to clinical and etiological features, firesetting behavioral specificity, issues of diagnostic criteria relevant to pathological firesetting, and current treatment issues. Based upon this review, we then make some suggestions for future empirical research and evidence-based practice relevant to firesetting. In order to increase the clarity and focus of this review, and unless otherwise stated, we will focus our discussions on firesetting committed by individuals over the age of 18. We will, however, refer to research with juveniles and children where we feel it is appropriate to ...

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Section: Developmental Featuressupporting

confidence: 64%

supporting

confidence: 64%

Firesetting: Psychopathology, theory and treatment

Gannon

Pina

2010

Aggression and Violent Behavior

103

136

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“…There are no prevalence studies of fire setting behavior in child welfare populations. Even studies that purport to study etiology generally only include children and youth who set fires in their samples (e.g., Root et al 2008). However, while children and youth who intentionally set fires obtain a great deal of attention from the child-serving system, it is generally observed that the frequency with which children and youth display this behavior is not high.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Others, including Patterson (1982) and Fineman (1995) have proposed that fire setting is a component of a set of antisocial behaviors that may have a common etiology. One proposed component of this etiology is maltreatment (Root et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fire Setting Behavior in a Child Welfare System: Prevalence, Characteristics and Co-Occurring Needs

2010

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Fire setting is one of the most challenging behaviors for the child welfare system. However, existing knowledge about its prevalence and correlates has been limited to research on single programs. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services initiated a uniform assessment process at entry into state custody using a trauma-informed version of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS). By using information from these assessments it is possible to establish an estimate of the prevalence of fire setting behavior and identify clinical and functional correlates. A review of 4,155 children and youth entering state custody reveals an overall prevalence rate of 1.35%. However, the rate for children and youth, 10 years and older was 3.5%. The rate was higher for boys than girls but there was no relationship to race. In general, the children and youth who engaged in fire setting behaviors had much higher levels of needs, fewer strengths, and were lower functioning. Within group analysis suggests the children and youth who set fires represent a relatively homogeneous group.

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“…Their tools include the Fire Involvement Interview to obtain information about a youth's previous and current fireinvolvement (MacKay et al, 2006;Root et al, 2008), a fire interest scale completed by the youth and his or her caregiver (Fire Interest Questionnaire), and a fire-specific Stroop task to provide a laboratory measure fire interest(Gallagher-Duffy et al, 2009…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Research and Practice in Adolescent Firesetting

MacKay

Feldberg²,

Ward

et al. 2012

Criminal Justice and Behavior

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Firesetting by juveniles results in billions of dollars of property loss, thousands of burn injuries, and hundreds of deaths each year. A review that specifically focuses on adolescents’ role in this devastating and costly behavior is not available. To address this gap, the current article reviews the past 30+ years of literature on adolescent firesetters, examining topics such as models of firesetting behavior, risk factors and correlates of adolescent firesetting, diagnostic issues, assessment tools and approaches, and current interventions. The article concludes with a discussion of goals for the field, including the development of relevant criteria for pathological firesetting.

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The link between maltreatment and juvenile firesetting: Correlates and underlying mechanisms

Cited by 55 publications

References 34 publications

Firesetting: Psychopathology, theory and treatment

Firesetting: Psychopathology, theory and treatment

Fire Setting Behavior in a Child Welfare System: Prevalence, Characteristics and Co-Occurring Needs

Research and Practice in Adolescent Firesetting

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