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Tension or affective arousal before the act. Has a fascination with, interest in, curiosity about, or attraction to fire and its situational contexts (e.g., paraphernalia, uses, and consequences). Pleasure, gratification, or relief when setting fires or when witnessing or participating in their aftermath. The firesetting is not done for monetary gain, as an expression of sociopolitical ideology, to conceal criminal activity, to express anger or vengeance, to improve one's living circumstances, in response to a delusion or hallucination, or as a result of impaired judgment (e.g., in dementia, mental retardation, or substance intoxication). The firesetting is not explained by conduct disorder, a manic episode, or antisocial personality disorder. Primary gain Cathartic, excitement, sexual pleasure, boredom, relief of tension Delusional, psychotic Vindictive, revenge, jealousy Instrumental (psychologic): self-destruction/suicide, heroism/recognition, cry for help, attention seeking Secondary gain Acquisitive, financial, insurance claim, profit, rehousing, extortion, professional Instrumental (nonpsychologic): crime concealment, intimidation, facilitating other crimes, vandalism Political protest, extremist causes, riot, terrorism Other Accidental, carelessness, curiosity, no obvious motive Mixed motives Childhood firesetting problems Younger age at time of first firesetting Younger age at time of instant arson Total number of firesetting offenses No concurrent charges other than arson Verbalized threats to set fires Setting fires alone Unmarried Low intelligence Firesetting history Age first set fires Number of previously set fires Frequency of previously set fires Duration of firesetting history Intensity/quality of previously set fires Impulsivity of past firesetting Motives for past firesetting Psychosocial circumstances precipitating past fires Psychiatric comorbidities Substance use disorders (alcohol) Psychotic disorders Intellectual impairment/mental retardation Personality disorders (ASPD, BPD) Mood disorders Impulse-control disorders Pyromania Current firesetting ideation Access to firesetting materials Presence/Absence of stressors/circumstances similar to past fires Personality variables Assertiveness impairments Overall degree of impulsivity Level of insight Other variables Compliance with treatment recommendations Current stressors/coping techniques Available support system Marital status Feasibility of plan after discharge
