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Offence-specific scripts among juvenile deliberate firesetters: a possible explanation for fire proclivity
Danielle L C Perks1, Bruce D Watt1, Katarina M Fritzon1
1School of Psychology, Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia.
Summary
Juvenile firesetters exhibit distinct cognitive-emotional processes, including beliefs about fire control and destructive scripts. Understanding these themes aids in risk assessment and treatment for adolescent firesetting behavior.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Deliberate firesetting in juveniles is a complex behavior with significant societal impact.
- Understanding the underlying cognitive and emotional factors is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze the dynamic cognitive-emotional processes associated with deliberate firesetting in adjudicated juveniles.
- To explore the themes related to firesetting behavior in this population.
Main Methods:
- Inductive-thematic analysis was used to examine data from 35 adjudicated juvenile firesetters.
- Six fire-specific themes were identified, categorized as implicit theories and cognitive scripts.
Main Results:
- Three themes represented implicit theories: Fire Interest, Fire is Controllable, and Fire Denial/Accidental.
- Three themes represented cognitive scripts: fire is destructive (including destructive fun and revenge), fire conceals evidence, and fire creates calm.
- The 'fire is destructive' theme had two subcategories: 'fire creates destructive fun' and 'fire is a destructive tool for revenge'.
Conclusions:
- The identified cognitive-emotional themes provide insight into the motivations and behavioral patterns of juvenile firesetters.
- Findings have direct implications for improving risk assessment and developing targeted treatment strategies for adolescent firesetting.
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