Offence-specific scripts among juvenile deliberate firesetters: a possible explanation for fire proclivity

The study employed inductive-thematic analysis to identify dynamic cognitive-emotional processes occurring in proximity to deliberate firesetting among a sample of N 1/4 35 adjudicated juvenile firesetters. Six fire-specific themes were determined. Three of these themes are akin to an implicit theor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry, psychology, and law psychology, and law, 2024-02, Vol.31 (1), p.76-96
Main Authors: Perks, Danielle L. C., Watt, Bruce D., Fritzon, Katarina M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arson
Beliefs
Cognitive-behavioral factors
Damages
Firesetting
juvenile
Juvenile delinquents
Prevention
Proximity
Pyromania
Revenge
Risk assessment
Scripts
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Summary:The study employed inductive-thematic analysis to identify dynamic cognitive-emotional processes occurring in proximity to deliberate firesetting among a sample of N 1/4 35 adjudicated juvenile firesetters. Six fire-specific themes were determined. Three of these themes are akin to an implicit theory (i.e. a belief system informed by previous experiences): Fire Interest, Fire is Controllable, and Fire Denial/Accidental. Three of these themes are consistent with a cognitive script (i.e. a behavioural guide for how and when to use fire): (a) fire is destructive; (b) fire conceals evidence; and (c) fire creates calm. When reviewed more closely, the theme 'fire is destructive' is composed of two separate subcategories: 'fire creates destructive fun' and 'fire is a destructive tool for revenge'. The findings have risk assessment and treatment implications for juvenile firesetters.
ISSN:1321-8719
1934-1687
DOI:10.1080/13218719.2023.2175067