NCJ Number
96567
Date Published
1984
Length
37 pages
Annotation
Findings from a review of research into arson motivation are used to argue that no single motivation can explain firesetting behavior. Then results of a 1981-82 study conducted by the authors with a sample of imprisoned arsonists in New York City are used to develop a hypothesis that arson committed by nonhabitual firesetters can be stress-induced.
Abstract
The 24 subjects answered interview questions about their life histories and specific circumstances surrounding the arson. Their responses indicated that they set fires (1) in reaction to arguments among family, friends, or acquaintances; (2) as a way of earning some cash; (3) as a means of collecting insurance; or (4) for other unrelated reasons. Twenty-one of the 23 respondents were strikingly similar in 3 ways: (l) their lives were filled with stressful conditions; (2) they depended on a small number of interpersonal relationships for support in coping with these stressful conditions; and (3) they set the fires when faced with an additional stressful circumstance. Most often, the additional stressful circumstance was a problem in an interpersonal relationship to which the respondent looked for support. The combination of low self-esteem and stressful personal relationships was found to be the most common characteristics of the arsonists studied. Controlled testing is urged to determine if stress-induced arson has the same etiology as child abuse, homicide, and some types of assault. Included are 56 references and an appendix listing stressful conditions.