本研究目的在探討男性非行少年縱火行為的性質、各類縱火動機的普及率、再犯危險性、以及縱火動機的結構等問題。本研究以問卷調查台灣各少年輔育院及矯正學校裡917位男性非行少年。結果顯示男性非行少年縱火行為與暴力、財產、及性犯罪行為均有顯著關連性。在各類縱火動機的普及率方面，以無特別理由、追求刺激、及破壞等動機較為普遍。在不同動機者再犯危險性方面，十二至十五及十六歲至十八歲少年雖有不同，但一般而言，以無特別理由、破壞、追求刺激、湮滅證據、報復洩恨等動機者再犯縱火罪的危險性較高，且動機愈多元者愈易再犯。在縱火動機結構上，經因素分析顯示具有表達性、工具性、及反社會性動機三個因素。本研究就上述結果與成年縱火者進行比較及討論。

This study investigated the firesetting behavior, and the prevalence, recidivism and nature of arson motives in male juvenile delinquents. We used a questionnaire to survey and collect data from 917 male juvenile delinquents in Taiwan's reformatory schools. The results showed that the firesetting behavior of male juvenile delinquents was significantly associated with violent, property-seeking, and sexual crime behavior. With respect to the most prevalent motives in the firesetting behavior, it was found to be irrational reasons, pleasure-seeking, and vandalism (i.e., the deliberate damaging of public property). Among the different motives, the recurrence of the firesetting delinquents in the age group of 12 to 15 is different from the age group of 16 to 18 years old juveniles. Nonetheless, the probability to recommit firesetting behavior is higher for the following motives: irrational reasons, vandalism, pleasure-seeking, crime concealment, and revenge. In particular, the more diversified motives of the juvenile firesetters, the higher of the recidivistic risks are. The factor analysis shows there are three factors in the nature of the arson motives which are expressive, instrumental, and antisocial factor. Finally, a comparison of the results of the juveniles with those of the adult firesetters was discussed.