Psychotic versus non-psychotic firesetters: similarities and differences in characteristics

Abstract

Firesetters with psychotic disorders constitute a distinct and important offender group. However, little is known about how psychotic firesetters differ from non-psychotic firesetters. More knowledge is required in order to treat this particular population effectively. Psychotic (n = 30) and nonpsychotic (n = 94) firesetters of both sexes referred for pre-trial forensic mental health assessment in the Netherlands were compared on sociodemographic, pathological, judicial and event-related characteristics using binary and multivariate statistical tests. Results showed that psychotic firesetters were older, single and unemployed. They had a more extensive history of mental health problems, associated drug use and impaired selfreliance. Opposed to non-psychotic offenders, physical abuse in childhood and alcohol abuse were less prevalent. They had a more extensive history of prior convictions, committed the arsons more often alone and were less often intoxicated. Treatment implications are discussed as focusing treatment on these differences may contribute to treatment efficacy and prevention of recidivism.

Arsonists Suffering From Schizophrenia—A Description in Comparison with Other Offenders with a Similar Diagnosis

“…With few exceptions, results correspond to those presented in the four other studies also focusing on arsonists with SSD/ psychosis, if similar variables were explored (Table ), but also examined additional variables previously only explored in research on firesetters in general . Noteworthy, in those instances where results between the five studies on arsonists with SSD/ psychosis were contradictory, the results presented here frequently did not evidence any statistically significant differences between arsonists with SSD and other offenders with SSD.…”

“…In keeping with the traditional research approach of exploring arsonists in terms of their motives, personal, and crime scene characteristics, while also drawing on specific research on arsonists with SSD, we further hypothesize arsonists with SSD will differ from other offender patients with SSD in terms of their personal (H1A) and crime scene (H1B) characteristics as well as criminal motives (H1C). To test these hypotheses, we used similar variables as have been used in the research cited above (see Supporting Information for a complete compilation of variables explored).…”

“…While arsonists suffering from SSD were repeatedly identified as a distinct subgroup in comparison with other criminals in general, to other firesetters , and to other firesetters experiencing a mental disorder, there is no research (to our knowledge) exploring the differences between arsonists suffering from SSD and other criminal offenders suffering from SSD. Thus, overall, it remains unresolved if and to what extent the identified differences between arsonists with SSD and other subgroups without SSD are due to specific characteristics of arsonists or merely due to the typical symptoms of schizophrenia.…”

“…Using cluster analysis, recent research on 389 firesetters described the largest one of the five identified subgroups to suffer from “psychotic disorders” and recommended a different treatment approach for this subgroup . Comparing psychotic firesetters (almost ¼ of the total sample) with nonpsychotic firesetters, psychotic firesetters were older, more likely to be single, unemployed, with an extensive history of prior convictions, mental health problems, and illegal substance use (including the time of setting a fire) . Psychotic firesetters were less likely to be abused during childhood and to abuse alcohol .…”

“…Comparing psychotic firesetters (almost ¼ of the total sample) with nonpsychotic firesetters, psychotic firesetters were older, more likely to be single, unemployed, with an extensive history of prior convictions, mental health problems, and illegal substance use (including the time of setting a fire) . Psychotic firesetters were less likely to be abused during childhood and to abuse alcohol . Comparing motives and crime scene characteristics of arsonists with schizophrenia to other firesetters evidenced the latter to be guided by hallucinations and delusions (30% of cases) and/ or undirected hate, to be more likely to choose random unoccupied objects to set a fire, and to never be suspected of insurance fraud .…”