Drawn to the Flame : Assessment and Treatment of Juvenile Firesetting Behavior

by Stadolnik, Robert F.

• ISBN13: 9781568870632
• ISBN10: 1568870639
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Professional Resource Exchange Inc

Summary

In spite of this fact, there have been very few authoritative books or workshops dealing with assessment of and behavioral interventions with child and adolescent firesetters. As a result, most mental health professionals are unfamiliar with the empirical literature regarding juvenile firesetting and many cling to beliefs based more on myth than reality.

This guide summarizes research findings; outlines existing theories, diagnostic classifications, motivational typologies, and family characteristics; describes available assessment tools, models, and protocols; and presents alternatives for treatment. "Best practice" standards are presented for working with juvenile firesetters and fire prevention programs. Includes two illustrative case studies, numerous references, and additional regional, state, and national resources for further study, training, networking, and skill development.

Table of Contents

Dedication	iii
Series Preface	v
Abstract	vii
Introduction	1	(4)
Research Facts Versus Common Fiction: Understanding the Juvenile Firesetting Problem	5	(22)
Common Mythology and Misinformation	6	(5)
Roots and Early History of the Mythology	6	(2)
Firesetting in Psychiatric Literature	8	(2)
The Mythology of Firesetting	10	(1)
Firesetting Incidence and Prevalence Data	11	(6)
Public Safety Data	11	(1)
Criminal Justice Data	12	(1)
Property Loss Data	13	(1)
Gender	14	(1)
Age	14	(1)
Parent and Family Characteristics	15	(1)
Clinical Incidence and Prevalence	15	(1)
Diagnostic Classification	16	(1)
Pyromania, Sex, and Firesetting	17	(1)
Firesetting Theory	17	(3)
Dynamic-Behavioral Formulation	18	(1)
Social-Learning Model	18	(1)
Cycles of Firesetting: An Oregon Model	19	(1)
Motivational Typologies	20	(7)
``Curiosity'' Motivated Firesetting	20	(2)
``Crisis'' Motivated Firesetting	22	(1)
``Delinquent'' Motivated Firesetting	23	(2)
``Pathologically'' Motivated Firesetting	25	(2)
Solving the Assessment Puzzle	27	(24)
Firesetting Assessment Issues	27	(3)
Clinician Background and Skills	29	(1)
Firesetting Assessment Models, Protocols, and Tools	30	(7)
Children's Firesetting Interview (CFI) and Firesetting Risk Interview (FRI)	32	(1)
The F.I.R.E. Protocol: An Assessment Instrument for Firesetting Behaviors	33	(1)
Firesetter Analysis Worksheet	34	(1)
Juvenile Firesetter Needs Assessment Protocol (JFNAP)	35	(1)
Moderate Prognostic Indicators	35	(1)
Guarded Prognostic Indicators	35	(1)
Poor Prognostic Indicators	35	(1)
Qualitative Analysis Model of Child and Adult Fire Deviant Behavior	36	(1)
Massachusetts Coalition Model	37	(14)
Fire History	39	(2)
Fire Scene Evidence	41	(3)
Fire Knowledge	44	(1)
Parent/Family Functioning	45	(2)
Behavioral Functioning	47	(2)
Emotional Functioning	49	(2)
Cognitive/School Functioning	51	(1)
Treatment of Juvenile Firesetting Behavior	51	(15)
Review of Literature	51	(5)
Treatment Components	56	(10)
Fire Service Collaboration	57	(3)
Fire Safety Education	60	(1)
Behavioral Interventions	61	(1)
Family Therapy	62	(2)
Hospitalization, Residential Placement, and Medication	64	(2)
Case Studies	66	(12)
``Joshua''	66	(6)
Background Information	66	(1)
Behavioral Observations/Mental Status Examination	67	(1)
Test Results	68	(1)
Firesetting Behavior	69	(2)
Treatment Recommendations	71	(1)
``Claudia''	72	(6)
Background Information	72	(2)
Behavioral Observations/Mental Status Examination	74	(1)
Test Results	74	(1)
Firesetting Behavior	75	(3)
Treatment Recommendations	78	(1)
CONCLUSION	78	(3)
APPENDIX: JUVENILE FIRESETTING RESOURCES	81	(4)
Newsletters	81	(1)
National and International Organizations	82	(1)
Professional and Technical Resources	82	(1)
State and Regional Juvenile Firesetting Intervention Networks	83	(2)
References	85