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dc.contributor.advisorVernberg, Eric M.
dc.contributor.authorMorris, Edwin M.
dc.date.accessioned2015-02-25T04:04:55Z
dc.date.available2015-02-25T04:04:55Z
dc.date.issued2014-08-31
dc.date.submitted2014
dc.identifier.otherhttp://dissertations.umi.com/ku:13562
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1808/16804
dc.description.abstractStudy objectives were to explore a sample of fire-involved youth by 1) describing their overall psychological characteristics, thoughts, and behaviors, 2) comparing the psychological characteristics, thoughts, and behaviors of their male and female subgroups, 3) examining how specific psychological problems are related to fire-specific thoughts and behaviors for the overall group, and 4) examining how relations between specific psychological problems and fire-specific thoughts and behaviors may differ for the male and female subgroups. Data were gathered from a chart review of clinical files of youth with a history of fire involvement. There were 186 participants, ages 9 to18, 72% male. Data about general and fire-specific characteristics were collected using the Child Behavior Checklist, the Aggression Questionnaire, and the Children's Firesetting Interview. Results indicated that 85% of youth had clinically significant problems in at least 1 psychological domain. The proportions with clinically significant ratings for each domain were as follows: externalizing problems (77%), internalizing problems (53%), thought problems (32%), and social problems (21%). Nearly one-third of the sample had clinically significant problems in 3 or more domains. A majority of the sample reported having at least some fire curiosity, thoughts about fire, and enjoyment in reading about fire. Closer to half reported wanting to play with fire or view fire-related media. Favorite characteristics of fire were predominantly related to its functionality or observational aspects. Close to half of the sample reported having hid fire-starting materials or having left burn marks on things in their homes. Although there were no significant sex differences for internalizing and externalizing problems, the males had higher levels of social problems, thought problems, fire curiosity, and involvement in fire-related activities. Further discussions of sex differences are included. Regression models predicting fire-related thoughts and behaviors were explored for males, females, and the overall sample. This study found sex differences in the overall pattern of correlations between psychological and behavioral problems of males and females with a history of fire involvement. Treatment implications include a strong need for clinicians not only to address externalizing problems, but to also incorporate interventions for internalizing, thought, and social problems.
dc.format.extent63 pages
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Kansas
dc.rightsThis item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
dc.subjectClinical psychology
dc.subjectAggression Questionnaire
dc.subjectChild Behavior Checklist
dc.subjectChildren's Firesetting Interview
dc.subjectFiresetting
dc.subjectSex differences
dc.subjectYouth
dc.titleExploring the Behavioral and Psychological Differences between Male and Female Youth with a History of Fire Involvement
dc.typeDissertation
dc.contributor.cmtememberRoberts, Michael C.
dc.contributor.cmtememberFite, Paula J.
dc.contributor.cmtememberDavis, Ann M.
dc.contributor.cmtememberWilliford, Anne P.
dc.thesis.degreeDisciplineClinical Child Psychology
dc.thesis.degreeLevelPh.D.
dc.rights.accessrightsopenAccess


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