An examination of juvenile firesetting behaviour: towards the development of a new model

• Main Author: Lovell, Donna Marie
• Published: University of the West of England, Bristol 2013
• Subjects: 616.89140835
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.601224

This thesis aims to enrich the study of juvenile firesetting behaviour and presents an overview of risks associated with juvenile frresetting behaviour as well as a proposed new model of juvenile recidivistic firesetting behaviour. The proposed model is unique in as much as it identifies risks associated with juvenile firesetting hut also enables practitioners to map an individual pathway for the young person; thus considering what level and type of intervention is needed. Research studies were designed to consider the reasons underlying the interest and appeal of [rre for young people, and to take a holistic view by taking the immediate familial and sociocultural environment into account when investigating the development of juvenile firesening behaviour. A longitudinal study created the opportunity to explore repeat firesetting behaviour over a 2-year time period utilising a mixed methods approach. This research involves an in-depth family case study approach with the families of 18 young people who had been identified as being involved in firesetting behaviour. The purpose of the family case study was to explore the family circumstances, the social environment, and frresetting history of young firesetters from different perspectives. Overall, the thesis has heen exploratory in nature and the findings have found confirmation for previous fmdings on juvenile firesetting behaviour as well as adding to the previous pool of literature. For example, the interactions between various elements of firesetting behaviour (i.e. the development and the continuation of firesetting behaviour) have been explored from various perspectives and in doing so has delved deeper into these issues than previous research. A new model of juvenile risk elements of frresetting recidivism (J-REF Recidivism Model) is proposed.