NCJ Number
239580
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2012 Pages: 107-121
Date Published
April 2012
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article examines current theories regarding the problem of adult firesetting behavior, and presents a new comprehensive framework for addressing this problem.
Abstract
The assessment and treatment of adults who set fires deliberately are underdeveloped relative to other areas of forensic-clinical psychology. From a scientist-practitioner perspective, all clinical assessment and treatment should be guided by a theoretical and empirically based understanding of the presenting clinical phenomena. In this paper, the authors critically review current typologies, motives, and theories regarding the etiological features of deliberate adult firesetting. Then, using a theory knitting perspective, the authors synthesize the prime parts of this information into a comprehensive multifactorial framework of deliberate firesetting. The resulting Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (M-TTAF) is an integration of current theory, typological, and research knowledge into a comprehensive etiological theory of firesetting along with its maintenance, and desistence. In addition to this overall theoretical framework, the authors summarize five associated prototypical firesetting trajectories (or patterns of characteristics leading to the firesetting behavior) that stem from their theoretical work. The authors examined this new theory according to key evaluative components associated with theory construction and conclude by highlighting the M-TTAF's potential application in future research and practice innovation with adult firesetters. (Published Abstract)