Firesetting and Mental Health

This book provides a comprehensive look at the issue of firesetting by people with mental disorder.

Geoffrey L. Dickins (Edited by), Philip A. Sugarman (Edited by), Teresa A. Gannon (Edited by)

9781908020376, Royal College of Psychiatrists

Paperback / softback, published 1 February 2012

288 pages
23.3 x 15.6 x 1.7 cm, 0.51 kg

Arson and other types of deliberate firesetting have major human and financial costs across the globe. People with mental disorder are disproportionately involved and mental health practitioners are frequently required to assess, treat and manage this troubling group. Half of all deliberate fire-related damage is caused by adults and this is the first book to take a comprehensive look at the issue from a mental health perspective. It brings research evidence, theory and practitioner advice into one accessible volume. Leading experts from the fields of psychiatry and psychology present current evidence on epidemiology, biological and psychological aetiology, and developmental aspects of deliberate firesetting. Contemporary overviews of best practice in relation to assessment and intervention, including in women and offenders with intellectual disability, are provided. Legal and fire safety experts present theoretical knowledge and practical advice on the role of mental health professionals in court and in fire prevention in clinical settings. The only available specialist text on firesetting behaviour in adults.

Part I. Theory and Research: 1. Adult firesetters: prevalence, characteristics and psychopathology Geoff Dickens and Philip Sugarman
2. Theories on arson: the action systems model Katarina Fritzon
3. Differentiating firesetters: lessons from the literature on motivation and dangerousness Geoff Dickens and Philip Sugarman
4. The potential relevance of brain dysfunction in arson Mairead Dolan and Troy E. McEwan
5. The developmental aspects of firesetting Sherri MacKay, Erin M. Ruttle and Ashley K. Ward
6. Intellectual disability and arson John Devapriam and Sabyasachi Bhaumik
7. Female arsonists and firesetters Theresa A. Gannon, Nichola Tyler, Magali Barnoux and Afroditi Pina
8. Power and excitement in arson: the case of firefighter arson Rebekah M. Doley and Kenneth R. Fineman
Part II. Practice and Law: 9. Legal perspectives on arson Sally Averill
10. Assessment of firesetters Rebekah M. Doley and Bruce D. Watt
11. Bushfire and wildfire arson: arson risk assessment in the Australian context Troy E. McEwan, Rebekah M. Doley and Mairead Dolan
12. Arson: treatment and interventions Clive R. Hollin
13. Arson and mental health: case reports from psychiatric practice Tim Rogers
14. Fire risk and fire safety in psychiatric care Allan Grice.

Subject Areas: Forensic medicine [MMQ], Psychiatry [MMH]