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A scoping review and bibliometric analysis on juvenile fire setting behaviour

Åkerström, Johanna LU (2024) In LUTVDG/TVBB VBRM10 20241
Division of Fire Safety Engineering
Abstract
The purpose of this review was to examine and analyse existing scientific literature on
juvenile fire setting behaviour and to provide suggestions for future research. The PRISMA
(Transparent Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) framework was used to
search and collect relevant literature. Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed were used for the
literature searches, and 71 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Determining the
prevalence of fire setting behaviour among juveniles proved challenging primarily due to
variations in research methods. However, relatively high prevalence rates, ranging from 27%
to 37.5%, were found in specific samples. Juvenile fire setters appear to have a wide range of
motives... (More)
The purpose of this review was to examine and analyse existing scientific literature on
juvenile fire setting behaviour and to provide suggestions for future research. The PRISMA
(Transparent Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) framework was used to
search and collect relevant literature. Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed were used for the
literature searches, and 71 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Determining the
prevalence of fire setting behaviour among juveniles proved challenging primarily due to
variations in research methods. However, relatively high prevalence rates, ranging from 27%
to 37.5%, were found in specific samples. Juvenile fire setters appear to have a wide range of
motives and risk factors, highlighting the importance of avoiding generalizations. Motives
include, for instance, curiosity, revenge, boredom, and psychiatric problems. Commonly
described risk factors in the reviewed studies involve family dysfunction, abuse and/or neglect
and depression. The review identified gender and age differences in the behaviour and peer
fire setting appeared common among juvenile fire setters. In conclusion, juvenile fire setting
behaviour is a complex subject, and the group is highly diverse. Future research could focus
on standardizing prevalence measurements, conducting more longitudinal studies, analysing
geographic variances, examining co-occurring risk factors and motives, analysing influences
of external factors and further exploring gender and age differences. (Less)
Popular Abstract
Intentionally lit fires are a significant problem that can lead to economic, human, and environmental damage. Examining Swedish crime statistics from 2013 to 2022 reveal that approximately half of the suspects involved in fire related vandalism are between ages 15 and 20. Additionally, when examining arson, including severe arson, approximately 30 % of the suspects are between 15 to 20 years old. Juvenile fire setters appear to have very diverse motives and risk factors, indicating the need of individual assessment in intervention and treatment.
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author
Åkerström, Johanna LU
supervisor
organization
course
VBRM10 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Juvenile, underage, fire setting, arson
publication/series
LUTVDG/TVBB
report number
5717
other publication id
LUTVDG/TVBB-5717-SE
language
English
id
9149756
date added to LUP
2024-03-13 09:17:58
date last changed
2024-03-13 09:17:58
@misc{9149756,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this review was to examine and analyse existing scientific literature on 
juvenile fire setting behaviour and to provide suggestions for future research. The PRISMA 
(Transparent Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) framework was used to 
search and collect relevant literature. Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed were used for the 
literature searches, and 71 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Determining the 
prevalence of fire setting behaviour among juveniles proved challenging primarily due to
variations in research methods. However, relatively high prevalence rates, ranging from 27% 
to 37.5%, were found in specific samples. Juvenile fire setters appear to have a wide range of
motives and risk factors, highlighting the importance of avoiding generalizations. Motives 
include, for instance, curiosity, revenge, boredom, and psychiatric problems. Commonly
described risk factors in the reviewed studies involve family dysfunction, abuse and/or neglect 
and depression. The review identified gender and age differences in the behaviour and peer 
fire setting appeared common among juvenile fire setters. In conclusion, juvenile fire setting 
behaviour is a complex subject, and the group is highly diverse. Future research could focus 
on standardizing prevalence measurements, conducting more longitudinal studies, analysing
geographic variances, examining co-occurring risk factors and motives, analysing influences 
of external factors and further exploring gender and age differences.}},
  author       = {{Åkerström, Johanna}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{LUTVDG/TVBB}},
  title        = {{A scoping review and bibliometric analysis on juvenile fire setting behaviour}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}