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4.1 Summary

This paper set out to explore the characteristics and profiles of young firelighters, and aimed to identify the prevalence of co-morbid psychopathology amongst young

firelighter. Also of interest was the identification of firelighting recidivism rates, as well as the investigation of significant predictor variables that would accurately predict recidivist firelighting, based on an Australian sample. Though there is a substantial pool of research exploring the characteristics and typology of firelighters, this has mainly been limited to clinically admitted (Lambie & Randell, 2011) and international samples. Therefore, the findings of this study contribute to the limited information that exists to date on Australian firelighters.

Despite commonalities, the broad profiles and characteristics of young firelighters remain diverse. Young firelighters, who are predominantly males, frequently present with co-morbid psychopathology and report a range of motivations for their firelighting. The most commonly reported motivation is fire interest and curiosity. Study One

identified a significant positive relationship between parents’ rating of the child/ adolescent’s fire curiosity and the severity of firelighting. Young firelighters who display heightened fire interest and curiosity are likely to engage in more firelighting episodes than their peers with less fire interest. However, fire interest decreased with age, as supported by the significant negative relationship identified between age and fire interest. The age of the young firelighter was significantly associated with a number of variables. Firelighting severity initially increased with age, but later decreased. Age was associated with motivation. Curiosity and interest were frequently reported as the motivation behind firelighting across all age groups. However, motivations such as anger and revenge, malicious mischief, peer pressure and boredom increased in frequency with the age of the young firelighters. Furthermore, older firelighters were

the fires were not planned in advance, suggestive of spontaneity and impulsivity. Finally, firelighters who displayed increased severity in their firelighting behaviour were more likely to have received counselling, and were still engaged in counselling. These findings indicate that there are particular differences that exist between the firelighting behaviours of young children and adolescents from various age groups, which may determine the trajectory of firelighting behaviour and the severity, as well as inform the identification process of young firelighters and their intervention/treatment planning.

Study Two identified that co-morbid psychopathology played a significant role in the number of episodes of firelighting the young person reported. A third of the young firelighters who had a diagnosis of an impulse control disorder, and engaged in more firelighting episodes than their peers who did not have a diagnosis of an impulse control disorder. More than half of the firelighters were rated in the At Risk and Above range for externalising and total problems on the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Firelighters who rated in the At Risk and Above range for externalising problems also engaged in more episodes of firelighting than their peers. Further exploration would shed light on to the extent firelighting behaviour is a manifestation of the underlying co- morbid psychopathology or whether the psychopathology maintains the firelighting behaviour. Differences were also identified variables of the Firelighting Risk Interview (FRI) and number of firelighting episodes. Firelighters who were rated higher in curiosity, had more complaints about their fire behaviour, had more involvement with fire, more early experiences with fire, and were rated as being more interested in fire by their parents had engaged in more episodes of firelighting than their peers who had scored lower on all these variables.

Furthermore, Study Two investigated recidivism rates and potential variables that would predict future fire involvement. Of the subgroup, one third of firelighters continued to engage in recidivist firelighting. This rate is consistent with other research (Adler, et al., 1994; Hanson, et al., 1994; MacKay, et al., 2006; McDonald, 2009). Recidivist

recidivist firelighting identified was the CBCL Internalising scale. This signifies that although firelighting indicates a severe behavioural problem, underlying it may be the experience of distress, depression, feelings of alienation, and problems with thoughts (Moore, et al., 1996). The variable ‘liked looking at fire’ was identified as a predictor variable of ongoing fire interest. Finally, recidivist firelighters and firelighters who displayed ongoing fire interest, were rated higher on the FRI variables compared to non- recidivists.

4.2 Clinical Implications

The findings of this paper have important clinical implications for the identification and intervention of young firelighters. Young firelighters often present with a variety of co- morbid psychopathology. Although young people with impulse control disorders and those who are at risk for externalising behaviours are likely to have more episodes of firelighting behaviour, the findings indicate that recidivist firelighting is more likely to occur by those firelighters who are at risk of internalising behaviour. This finding challenges what is known about young firelighters and highlights the need for clinicians to adopt a new perspective and approach when assessing firelighting behaviour. When focusing on young firelighters who display overt externalising behaviours, clinicians may overlook those who are internalising their difficulties. It is difficult to identify whether internalising behaviours, when undetected and or unaddressed, are a precursor for future externalising behaviours. Therefore questioning fire interest and behaviour must become a standard practice in clinical assessments, regardless of how young people present.

4.3 Conclusion

There are many similar characteristics which make up the profile of young firelighters, but nevertheless, they remain diverse and unique. Their motivations for firelighting

the notion that some firelighters are curious whereas others are pathological, as fire curiosity and interest appears to be a salient feature of firelighting. The reason why some firelighters continue to engage in recidivist firelighting while others do not is unclear. What is apparent though, is their need for specialised intervention and treatment beyond that offered by the fire services.

This paper illustrates the need and importance of collecting information from a variety of sources during the initial assessment, and ensuring that this is as detailed and comprehensive as it can be. Multiple perspectives should be used when establishing possible predictor variables of recidivism (Kennedy, et al., 2006). Young firelighter self- reports of their firelighting incidents and structured interviews may assist in determining recidivism (Kolko & Kazdin, 1994). Rich, detailed descriptions of thoughts and feelings preceding firelighting (Fineman, 1995) and precipitating life events would provide valuable insight. Also crucial is a thorough assessment of fire history when trying to predict the possibility of firelighting recidivism, and individualised treatment plans to address the relevant issues and needs of the young firelighter (Kennedy, et al., 2006). Fire services are overwhelmed by the large number of referrals to the JFAIP. There is an indication that the firelighting behaviour is the result of deeper problems that cannot be effectively addressed by the program, as fire practitioners lack the specialised training required. Therefore, identifying recidivist firelighters with co-morbid psychopathology will ensure appropriate referrals to mental health professionals can be made for

intervention and treatment (Webbs, et al.,1990). However, this will require a

multidisciplinary approach. The lack of an appropriate and reliable screening tool

makes this difficult. For this reason, it is imperative that a reliable screening tool is constructed which incorporates the biopsychosocial framework and fire specific variables.