Arsonists and Violent Offenders Compared: Two Peas in a Pod?

Abstract

Arsonists are considered a type of violent offender by some and a distinct group of offenders by others. Assuming the latter could be beneficial to offer tailor-made psychotherapeutic treatment to these offenders. The present study investigated whether arsonists ( n = 55) and violent offenders ( n = 41) are differentiable regarding several demographic and personal characteristics, and criminal career. Results indicated that arsonists were significantly more often diagnosed with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM) Axis II disorder, and more socially isolated and lacking coping skills. Violent offenders, on the other hand, demonstrated more drug abuse/dependence, a younger age at the first manifestation of antisocial behavior, a more extensive criminal history and higher percentage of recidivism. In light of these results, it is conceivable that arsonists could benefit from a slightly different treatment approach, for example, with more attention to relational and emotion regulation skills.

Firesetting Reoffending: A Meta-Analysis

“…They found that 45% of known firesetters received a further arson conviction, compared with 32% of other offenders. In contrast, Wilpert et al (2017) found that a smaller proportion of arsonists received a conviction for any offense, during an average of 9.3 years, relative to domestic violence offenders (47% vs. 61%, respectively). However, Wilpert et al also found that 9% of arsonists received a further conviction for arson, compared with 2% of violent offenders.…”

Risk Factors for Future Offending in Child and Adolescent Firesetters Following a Fire Service Intervention Program

“…Within a sample of offenders, firesetting was associated with early onset and severity of antisocial behavior (Stickle & Blechman, 2002). Extreme antisocial behavior has also been associated with adolescent firesetting (Martin et al, 2004), as has being more socially isolated with poorer coping skills than young offenders more generally (Wilpert, van Horn, & Eisenberg, 2017). Becker, Stuewig, Herrera, and McCloskey (2004) found firesetting predicted both violent and nonviolent later delinquency, and child firesetters were 3 times more likely to be referred to juvenile court in adolescence, even after controlling for conduct disorder.…”

Retrospective Study of Fire Setting Among Boys in a Child Welfare Sample

“…Not surprisingly, among a sample of adults in the United States, Vaughn and colleagues (2010) found that, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, psychiatric disorders, and a family history of antisocial behavior, lifetime alcohol use disorder, marijuana use disorder, CD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and antisocial personality disorder were predictive of fire setting. In another sample of adult fire setters, Wilpert et al (2017) found that, compared to violent offenders, more fire setters had a personality disorder, high levels of social isolation, and poor coping skills.…”