Location, location, location: predictors and risk factors associated with adolescents referred for firesetting at home and away from home
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: In New Zealand, adolescents contribute to almost half of property damage caused by fire. Data on firesetting location (at-home or away-from-home) of adolescents (aged 12–18 years), referred to a fire-awareness intervention programme (N = 2696), were analysed using chi-square and logistic regression. Characteristics of the ‘at-home’ group (93% male; mean age 13.5 years) included setting a fire alone; a history of misusing fire; a history of a psychiatric diagnosis; no history of offending; firesetting motivated by experimentation; and identifying as non-Māori/non-Pacific. Conversely, the ‘away-from-home’ group (88% male, Mage = 13.8 years) were predicted by firesetting with peers; this being their first misuse of fire; negative feelings (fear, shame) after the fire; an offending history; firesetting motivated by peer pressure; and identifying as MāoriFootnote1 or Pacific. Finding distinct subgroups within the adolescent firesetting population enhances opportunities to appropriately target interventions.
Source: Psychiatry Psychology and Law
Authors: Hieu Tran, Ian Lambie
Institutions: Health New Zealand, University of Auckland
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4402205315