A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry has found that teens, who identify with the "Goth" subculture, tend to be more prone to depression — and worse, self-harm — in comparison to their non-goth peers.
HealthDay reports that the researchers found that 15-year-old teens who strongly identified themselves as "goth" were three times more likely to be depressed when they reach 18, and they were five times more likely to commit self-harming behaviors such as cutting or medicine overdose when compared to their non-goth peers.
"Our study does not suggest that being a Goth causes depression or self-harm, but rather that some individuals within this subculture may be particularly vulnerable," said lead researcher Lucy Bowles.
As stated in a press release via EurekAlert!, the researchers analyzed data gathered from 3,694 teens who provided information regarding self-harm and depressive moods, as well as the extent to which they identified as a goth at 15 years. Three years after, the same teens reported self-harm and depression.
Findings indicate that the more the teens identified with the goth subculture, the more likely they will engage in self-harming behavior and have depression. Those who "somewhat" identified with the goth subculture at 15 were 1.6 times more likely to be depressed at 18 when compared to those who did not identify. As for those who identified "very much," the rate was higher, more than three times than those who don't identify.
"Parents whose children identify with this subculture need not be concerned," Bowes said. "The majority of Goths were not depressed and did not self-harm."
Bowes cautioned that the study cannot prove that Goth identification causes psychiatric problems, as the study is observational.
"Our study cannot tell us why Goths are more likely to be depressed or harm themselves," Bowes said. "It could be that youths who feel isolated from mainstream society are attracted to the Goth community -- traditionally very accepting of marginalized individuals -- and that this isolation from the mainstream could be conferring the risk."
Study co-author, Dr. Rebecca Pearson from the University of Bristol in the U.K., explains via EurekAlert! that "Teenagers who are susceptible to depression or with a tendency to self-harm might be attracted to the goth subculture which is known to embrace marginalised individuals from all backgrounds, including those with mental health problems."
Depression and self-harm are not unique to Goth teens, said Dr. Barbara Pena, research director at the emergency department in Nicklaus Children's Hospital
"Parents shouldn't freak out if their teen becomes a Goth," Pena added. "Is it better to be an outlier and not have friends or have a community like you?"
