Characteristics of fire-setters. A study and proposed multiaxial psychiatric classification.
BACKGROUND
The study set out to review the relationship between mental disorder and fire-setting.


METHODS
Sociodemographic, psychiatric, and medical data were retrospectively obtained from case notes of a group of 36 fire-setters referred to the North West Thames Forensic Psychiatry Service over a four-year period.


RESULTS
Of the sample, 28% were female and one-third had no mental illness; 28% had a previous medical history of possible relevance. Psychoactive substance abuse was common. There was a significant disturbance of interpersonal relationships. Eighty-five per cent lived alone, and 44% of the female fire-setters had a history of sexual abuse.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of this study, a multiaxial classification system of fire-setting is proposed.
Puri
B K
BK
Department of Psychiatry, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London.
Baxter
R
R
Cordess
C C
CC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005391:Firesetting Behavior / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010553:Personality Development; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors