Sinead Cloonan-Thomas1, Lauren Ducat2, Troy McEwan3 Nichola Tyler4
1Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, 1/582 Heidelberg Road, Alphington, VIC, 3078, 2Victorian Institute for Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare), Problem Behaviour Program, 505 Hoddle Street, Clifton Hill, VIC, 3068, 3Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, 1/582 Heidelberg Road, Alphington, VIC, 3078, 4Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, 1/582 Heidelberg Road, Alphington, VIC, 3078
Abstract:
The recognition of adult deliberate firesetting as a serious and enduring public health issue has emphasised an increasing need to understand the prevalence and correlates of firesetting in unapprehended community samples. However, research with this population remains in its infancy. This study aims to examine the prevalence, correlates, and continuity of firesetting in a US representative sample (n = 36,309), drawn from the NESARC Wave III dataset. Preliminary findings will be presented on the prevalence and correlates of firesetting by age (i.e., pre and post age 15 years) and sex, as well as similarities and differences between those who exclusively set fires pre 15 years, post 15 years, and those who set fires across both age periods. The implications of the findings for informing primary prevention for firesetting (i.e., in the general population) will be discussed.