Mentally Disordered Firesetters: An Examination of Risk Factors

Objective: In this study, we examined the risk-related characteristics of mentally disordered patients who had either been (1) involved in a firesetting incident, or (2) involved in a non-firesetting comparison incident whilst under the care of the National Health Service. Method: One hundred and thirty-two participants were recruited within an NHS Care Group in England (66 mentally disordered firesetters, 66 mentally disordered comparisons). Logistic regression was used to model the ability of static, dynamic, and incident-related factors in predicting whether or not a patient had set a fire (including gender-sensitive sub-analyses), and whether a patient firesetter was male or female, or a one-time or repeat firesetter. Results: We identified a cluster of variables that predicted firesetting status. We also identified key factors that predicted female patient firesetters relative to female patient controls who engaged in other undesirable behaviours and male patient firesetters. A cluster of variables predictive of repeat versus one-time firesetting also emerged. Conclusions: Findings are discussed in relation to further development of risk-related firesetting theory.