Aggression and Psychopathology in Matchplaying and Firesetting Children: A Replication and Extension

Abstract

Extends prior work documenting a relationship between childhood firesetting and heightened aggression, psychopathology, and social skills deficits in an inpatient sample. Children recruited from nonpatient, outpatient, and inpatient samples were classified into firesetter (n = 133), matchplayer (n = 34), or no-fire (n = 140) groups. Measures were based on parent or child reports. Multivariate and univariate analyses revealed higher levels of behavioral dysfunction, overt and covert antisocial behavior, hostility, emotionality and impulsivity, anti lower levels of assertiveness, sociability, and social skill in firesetters. The findings were not accounted for by the child's patient status or diagnosis of conduct disorder. Regression analyses revealed four predictors of firesetting status.