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Children who set fires: some background and behavioral characteristics
Alan R Gruber1, Edward T Heck2, Ellen Mintzer3
1South Shore.
The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|July 1, 1981
Summary
This study examined 90 child fire-setters in residential treatment. None reoffended during treatment, questioning the necessity of specific interventions for fire-setting behavior cessation.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Presents the background and behavior of 90 children identified as fire-setters.
- These children were part of a larger population of 544 referred for residential treatment.
- Highlights the absence of fire-setting behavior during residential treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics and treatment outcomes of child fire-setters.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of residential treatment in managing fire-setting behavior.
- To explore alternative treatment approaches and their potential efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of case files for 90 identified child fire-setters.
- Analysis of behavioral data during residential treatment.
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on fire-setting behavior.
Main Results:
- No instances of fire-setting behavior were observed in children during their residential treatment stay.
- The study raises questions regarding the specific therapeutic elements responsible for behavior cessation.
- Suggests that the controlled environment of residential treatment may be a significant factor.
Conclusions:
- Residential treatment appears effective in suppressing fire-setting behavior in children during the treatment period.
- Further research is needed to determine if similar results can be achieved with alternative or less intensive interventions.
- The findings prompt a re-evaluation of treatment protocols for juvenile fire-setting behavior.