What psychological aspect is often associated with adolescent firesetters aged 14-16?

Adolescent firesetters aged 14-16 often experience a range of intense emotions and psychological issues that can lead to fire-setting behavior. One of the most prominent factors is stress and anger, which can stem from various sources such as family dynamics, social pressures, academic challenges, or personal conflicts. These strong emotions may lead youths to engage in destructive behaviors as a way to express their feelings or cope with their circumstances.

Firesetting can serve as an outlet for releasing pent-up stress or anger, providing a temporary sense of control or relief from feelings of inadequacy or frustration. Understanding this psychological aspect is critical for fire investigators when assessing motives behind the act, as well as for developing interventions that address the underlying emotional issues rather than just the behavior itself.

While curiosity, peer pressure, and financial troubles can influence adolescent behavior, they do not typically encapsulate the deeper emotional struggles that often manifest as stress and anger in this particular age group.