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Characteristics of Fire-Setters a Study and Proposed Multiaxial Psychiatric Classification

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

B. K. Puri ,
R. Baxter  and
C. C. Cordess
B. K. Puri*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, St Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RP
R. Baxter
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Bexley Hospital, Old Bexley Lane, Bexley, Kent
C. C. Cordess
Affiliation:
North West Thames Forensic Psychiatry Service, Three Bridges Regional Secure Unit, St Bernard's Wing, Ealing Hospital, Uxbridge Road, Southall, Middlesex UB1 3EU
*
Dr Puri, Department of Psychiatry, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, St Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RP
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Abstract

Background

The study set out to review the relationship between mental disorder and fire-setting.

Method

Sociodemographic, psychiatric, and medical data were retrospectively obtained from case notes of a group of 36 fire-setters referred to the North West Thames Forensic Psychiatry Service over a four-year period.

Results

Of the sample, 28% were female and one-third had no mental illness; 28% had a previous medical history of possible relevance. Psychoactive substance abuse was common. There was a significant disturbance of interpersonal relationships. Eighty-five per cent lived alone, and 44% of the female fire-setters had a history of sexual abuse.

Conclusion

On the basis of this study, a multiaxial classification system of fire-setting is proposed.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 166 , Issue 3 , March 1995 , pp. 393 - 396
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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