To read this content please select one of the options below:

Features and motivators of emotionally expressive firesetters: the assessment of women in secure psychiatric settings

Clive G. Long (Associate Director of Psychology and Psychological Therapies, based at St Andrew's Healthcare, Northampton and University of Northampton, Northampton, UK)
Geoffrey Dickens (Professor in Psychiatric Nursing, based at St Andrew's Healthcare, and the University of Northampton, Northampton, UK)
Olga Dolley (Trainee Forensic Clinical Psychologist, based at St Andrew's Healthcare – Psychology, St Andrew's Academic Centre, University of Northampton, Northampton, UK)

Journal of Criminal Psychology

ISSN: 2009-3829

Article publication date: 9 September 2014

203

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the antecedent behaviours and consequences of firesetting for women in a secure psychiatric setting along with treatment engagement factors. To explore predictions made about emotionally expressive subtype firesetters by the multi-trajectory theory of adult firesetting (M-TTAF).

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 75 individual firesetting episodes involving 25 female multiple firesetters were assessed using the St Andrew's Fire and Arson Risk Instrument. Assessments were made of treatment readiness, firesetting related self-efficacy, insight and barriers to change.

Findings

Findings support the relationship between recidivist firesetting and the psychological features of psychosis, personality disorder and substance misuse. The reported association of firesetting with suicidal thoughts, depression, interpersonal problems, anger/revenge motivation and lack of planning supports the view that behaviour is used to manage distressing life experience and as a “cry for help”. However, in a quarter of incidents there was an intention to harm others and evidence of premeditation in twelve percent. A small but significant minority lacked insight into their behaviour, were not ready for treatment and had low firesetting related self-efficacy. Predictions made by the M-TTAF about likely clinical features and motivators of emotionally expressive firesetters were largely supported.

Originality/value

The study highlights the importance of a detailed and specific risk assessment of firesetting that leads to identification of individual risk factors and an individualised treatment approach. This is of particular importance given the complex problems presented by women in secure settings and by the diversity of the conditions associated with fires set by each individual.

Keywords

Citation

G. Long, C., Dickens, G. and Dolley, O. (2014), "Features and motivators of emotionally expressive firesetters: the assessment of women in secure psychiatric settings", Journal of Criminal Psychology, Vol. 4 No. 2, pp. 129-142. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-08-2013-0022

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles