Youthful fire-setters ... an exploratory study in personality and background.

Abstract

In an exploratory study of personality and background, children who, according to California Division of Forestry files, had set two or more fires were compared with children who had set only one fire. Multiple-fire setters were characterized by several associated problems, such as excessive activity, aggression, and psychosomatic difficulties as well as family and school difficulties, rather than by a single distinguishing attribute. First offense firesetters who show any evidence of these associated problems should be considered potential fire-problem children. Their early identification appears possible, and would improve chances for effective treatment.

Citation

Siegelman, Ellen Y.; Folkman, William S. 1971. Youthful fire-setters ... an exploratory study in personality and background. Res. Note PSW-RN-230. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 6 p