Comparing the characteristics of firesetting and non-firesetting adults in a New Zealand un-apprehended community sample

This study examines the prevalence of deliberate firesetting in an un-apprehended New Zealand sample and factors that differentiate firesetting and non-firesetting individuals. An anonymous online survey assessing demographic and background characteristics, history of firesetting and psychological characteristics was advertised on Facebook community groups and pinboards across New Zealand. A total of 626 adults completed the survey. One-hundred and three participants (16.45%) self-reported having deliberately set at least one fire over the age of 14 years. When controlling for all other variables in a logistic regression model, having a high-school qualification as the highest level of educational attainment (odds ratio, <i>OR</i> = 2.24), history of a mental health diagnosis (<i>OR</i> = 1.91), fearful attachment style (<i>OR</i> = 1.16) and fire interest (<i>OR</i> = 1.05) showed the strongest unique association with un-apprehended firesetting. Further research is needed to examine the full range of behavioural and psychological characteristics associated with un-apprehended firesetting.