A Study of Firesetters in the South-West of Ireland

A survey of 54 firesetters who had been in hospital or prison was conducted. The results confirmed earlier findings on several aspects, such as male predominance, unstable childhood and proclivity to self-injurious behaviour. Revenge emerged as the commonest motive overall and an association with al...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of psychiatry 1987-12, Vol.151 (6), p.818-823
Main Authors: O'Sullivan, Geraldine H., Kelleher, Michael J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Age Factors
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders - psychology
Female
Firesetting Behavior - etiology
Firesetting Behavior - psychology
Humans
Ireland
Male
Medical sciences
Mental Disorders - complications
Middle Aged
Motivation
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Recurrence
Sex Factors
Social Class
Social Control, Formal
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A survey of 54 firesetters who had been in hospital or prison was conducted. The results confirmed earlier findings on several aspects, such as male predominance, unstable childhood and proclivity to self-injurious behaviour. Revenge emerged as the commonest motive overall and an association with alcohol was found. Only 11% of the fire-raising episodes, whether among hospital or prison groups, were truly trivial. Arsonists in prison and hospital had many features in common and generally were quite psychologically disturbed, which contrasted with those who set fires for profit. A poor outcome was found, with continuing self-harm and a high suicide rate. Our findings suggest that arson recidivism arises in at least 35% of arsonists.
ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.151.6.818