Female Firesetters

This chapter offers a concise overview of assessment and treatment of firesetting in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). It highlights the potential 'differences' and needs of individuals with ID who deliberately set fires. Attempts have been made to identify specific characteristics associated with ID firesetters. The ID group was found to have emotional and behavioural characteristics in childhood related to temperamental difficulties and conduct disorder. In contrast, throughout the albeit limited ID firesetter literature, clinicians have found Functional Analysis Theory to be particularly relevant and informative. A number of measures have been developed with the aim of understanding how the individual was feeling around the time of the fire and their interests in fire. These include: the Pathological Firesetters Interview (PFSI), the Firesetting Assessment Schedule (FASch) and the Fire Interest Rating Scale (FIRS). Assessment of ID firesetters has typically been based on a functional analytical model whilst treatment has been dominated by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches.