Location, location, location: predictors and risk factors associated with adolescents referred for firesetting at home and away from home

In New Zealand, adolescents contribute to almost half of property damage caused by fire. Data on firesetting location (at-home or away-from-home) of adolescents (aged 12–18 years), referred to a fire-awareness intervention programme (N = 2696), were analysed using chi-square and logistic regression. Characteristics of the 'at-home' group (93% male; mean age 13.5 years) included setting a fire alone; a history of misusing fire; a history of a psychiatric diagnosis; no history of offending; firesetting motivated by experimentation; and identifying as non-Māori/non-Pacific. Conversely, the 'away-from-home' group (88% male, Mage = 13.8 years) were predicted by firesetting with peers; this being their first misuse of fire; negative feelings (fear, shame) after the fire; an offending history; firesetting motivated by peer pressure; and identifying as MāoriFootnote1 or Pacific. Finding distinct subgroups within the adolescent firesetting population enhances opportunities to appropriately target interventions.