Juvenile Firesetters

Nonpathological Fireplay

The majority of children who play with fire do so simply out of curiosity or by accident. These children generally come from intact families, set only one fire, and are likely to feel remorse or guilt following the incident. They typically do not intend to cause harm, do not receive satisfaction from setting a fire, and usually do not understand the consequences or destructive power of fire. They are often afraid of fire and will often attempt to call for help or to extinguish the fire themselves. Children in this category are usually male, between the ages of 5 and 10 years, and respond favorably to educational programs designed to eliminate fireplay behavior.

Pathological Firesetting

Pathological firesetters are reported to use fire more deliberately as a means of expressing anger or revenge. [Page 256]These children are usually male, reside in dysfunctional families, and display other maladaptive behaviors in addition to firesetting. Pathological firesetters often exhibit significant emotional and learning disabilities, have poor peer relationships, poor school performance, and disturbing peer relationships.

Pathological firesetters can be placed into any of three subgroups: cry-for-help, delinquent, and severely disturbed. Cry-for-help firesetters use the firesetting behavior to draw attention to themselves in an effort to satisfy unmet emotional needs. Delinquent firesetters tend to be in their teens and have histories of starting fires. These teens are typically involved in other delinquent behaviors as well as firesetting. They set fires as acts of vandalism or for creating excitement and destroying property, and are usually strongly influenced by their peers. Severely disturbed firesetters represent the smallest percentage of pathological firesetters, although they are viewed as the most dangerous. Juveniles in this category have been noted to set fires due to lack of impulse control, desire for sexual satisfaction, or hallucinations.

...