Depression and self-harm risk increased among goth teenagers

By Kate Bass, B.Sc.Aug 31 2015

New research published in The Lancet indicates that young people who consider themselves to be part of the goth subculture might be at increased risk of depression and self-harm.

There is increasing concern about the prevalence of depression and self-harm among teenagers in the UK. Last year, the World Health Organisation estimated that as many as one in five 15-year-olds in England may have self-harmed. It has been claimed that the goth movement — known for black clothing, heavy black make-up and music with doom-laden lyrics — is linked with deliberate self-harm among adolescents.

Researchers from the University of Oxford, UK, analysed data from 3694 teenagers who participated in the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children to investigate whether there is any substance behind this supposed association. The teenagers had provided information on self-harm and depressive mood and the extent to which they identified with a range of youth subcultures, including the goth movement, aged 15 years.

The findings showed that teenagers who identified very strongly with the goth movement at age 15 years were three times more likely to be clinically depressed, and five times more likely to self-harm at age 18 years compared with their peers who did not identify with the goth subculture. The subcultures 'skaters' and 'loners' were also associated with depression and self-harm, but not as strongly as for goths. Young people who identified themselves as 'sporty' were least likely to develop depression or self-harm tendencies aged 18 years.

Lead author Dr Lucy Bowes explained:

Our study does not show that being a goth causes depression or self-harm, but rather that some young goths are more vulnerable to developing these conditions.”

Even when the results were adjusted for a range of other factors, such as family situation, social status, history of depression or emotional difficulties, identifying with the goth subculture remained a strong predictor of future self-harm and depression.

As this is an observational study investigating complicated issues, cause and effect is difficult to isolate so it cannot be concluded that being a goth increases the chance of depression. Since the goth subculture is known to embrace marginalised individuals, it may well attract those teenagers who are already susceptible to depression or have a tendency to self-harm.

The latest research does, however, highlight the need for clinicians and parents to be vigilant and monitor adolescents known to associate themselves with the goth community for signs of depression and self-harm.