ABSTRACT
The hypothesis tested in this study was that the presence of enuresis and cruelty to animals in juvenile firesetters would be significantly related to recidivistic firesetting. This hypothesis was related to Yarnell's belief in an ego triad among juvenile firesetters, which linked the occurrence of enuresis, cruelty to animals and others, and firesetting. No relationship was found between groups for firesetting recidivism and enuresis. However, juveniles who were identified as being cruel to animals were more likely than those who were not cruel to animals to engage in recidivistic firesetting behaviors.
Subject(s)
Enuresis/psychology , Firesetting Behavior/psychology , Human-Animal Bond , Juvenile Delinquency/statistics & numerical data , Self Concept , Violence , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Enuresis/diagnosis , Enuresis/epidemiology , Firesetting Behavior/diagnosis , Firesetting Behavior/epidemiology , Humans , Periodicity , Predictive Value of TestsABSTRACT
With the number of juvenile firesetters growing each year and the amount of psychological and financial damage they create, it is essential that clinical professionals are aware of the characteristics surrounding juveniles who set fires. This study had two primary purposes: to educate nurses and mental health practitioners about the etiology and treatment of juvenile firesetters and to discuss a number of exploratory predictors, including age, gender, aggression, internalizing behaviors, level of deviancy, family dynamics, and sociability. Certain individual and environmental characteristics relate to varying levels of damage caused by the fire and the presence or absence of recidivistic behaviors. Firesetters are a group widely seen in the general population but not often identified or studied by clinical professionals. Therefore, this article has implications for the clinical practice of nurse practitioners and others who come into contact with this clinical population.
Subject(s)
Firesetting Behavior/psychology , Adolescent , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Child, Preschool , Firesetting Behavior/nursing , Firesetting Behavior/prevention & control , Health Education , Humans , Psychiatric Nursing/methods , Psychotherapy/methods , Social EnvironmentABSTRACT
The number of adolescent firesetters has been growing each year, along with the psychological and financial damage they create. It is therefore essential that mental health professionals who work with adolescents be aware of the characteristics of firesetters. This study describes the individual and environmental factors that relate to the etiology and levels of firesetting. Specifically, it discusses different types of firesetters and their aggressive tendencies, internalizing problems, family dynamics, and sociability. Further, it explores the treatment of adolescent firesetters.