Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Michael Johnson

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between bullying and firesetting in juveniles and young adults. Bullying is a worldwide phenomenon that has negative effects on children’s and adolescents’ social, interpersonal, and psychological well-being. The damage caused by fire setting results in a tremendous amount of financial loss, bodily injury, and death each year in the United States. This study was viewed through the lenses of attachment theory, reintegrative shaming theory, arousal- seeking behavioral theory, and functional analytic theory. The key research questions addressed whether there is a significant relationship between bullying victimization and fire setting behavior; whether there are factors (i.e., personality characteristics, attachment styles, arousal seeking, and psychosocial stimuli) that predict fire setting behavior in juveniles and young adults; and what precipitating events (i.e., trauma, abuse, maltreatment, and bullying) predict fire setting behavior. This study used a correlational nonexperimental research design. Multiple linear regression was used to address the research questions for this quantitative study. The key results indicated that there was a positive correlation between bullying and fire setting. Negative attachments styles, psychosocial stimuli, and a history of trauma and bullying were identified as predictors of fire setting behavior. Future research is recommended on how bullying motivates fire setting in order to develop effective prevention and intervention programs for at risk fire setters and offenders. By providing meaningful insights into preventing bullying and fire setting, this study may contribute to positive social change.

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