This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit an eLetter
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Stewart, L. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Stewart, L. A.

The British Journal of Psychiatry 163: 248-256 (1993)
© 1993 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Profile of female firesetters. Implications for treatment

LA Stewart

We studied 28 female arsonists and 28 female controls admitted to Holloway Prison over four months to examine the psychological and situational antecedents to firesetting so that the behaviour could be targeted for treatment. Over 92% of the arson group had received a psychiatric diagnosis. Both groups had similarly high rates of early deprivation and abuse. None of the female arsonists had set a fire for financial gain. There was no evidence of sexual arousal being associated with firesetting; only two women described their firesetting in terms that suggest a level of compulsion--one of these was alcoholic, the other was diagnosed as severely personality disordered. Several behavioural and psychological antecedents to offending were identified which could be targeted for treatment: low self-esteem, depression, limited communication skills, and deficits in anger management. The relapse prevention model is suggested as a possible intervention for recidivistic arsonists.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Schizophr BullHome page
S. Anwar, N. Langstrom, M. Grann, and S. Fazel
Is Arson the Crime Most Strongly Associated With Psychosis?--A National Case-Control Study of Arson Risk in Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses
Schizophr Bull, October 22, 2009; (2009) sbp098v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal of Contemporary Criminal JusticeHome page
J. A. DAVIS and K. M. LAUBER
Criminal Behavioral Assessment of Arsonists, Pyromaniacs, and Multiple Firesetters: The Burning Question
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, August 1, 1999; 15(3): 273 - 290.
[Abstract] [PDF]