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| Goth teenagers at higher risk of depression, study suggests | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Related: World Goth Day: meet fashion's favourite goths – in pictures | Related: World Goth Day: meet fashion's favourite goths – in pictures |
| Teenagers who identify as goths have a three times higher risk of depression than non-goth peers, researchers have said. | Teenagers who identify as goths have a three times higher risk of depression than non-goth peers, researchers have said. |
| But they could not be sure whether it was depression leading young people to join the subculture – most readily identified by its members’ black clothes and make-up – or being caused by it. | But they could not be sure whether it was depression leading young people to join the subculture – most readily identified by its members’ black clothes and make-up – or being caused by it. |
| “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,” said Lucy Bowes from Oxford University, lead author of the study. | “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,” said Lucy Bowes from Oxford University, lead author of the study. |
| In a years-long study of more than 2,300 British teens Bowes and a team found that 15-year-olds who identified very strongly with goth subculture were three times more likely than their non-goth peers to be clinically depressed by age 18. | In a years-long study of more than 2,300 British teens Bowes and a team found that 15-year-olds who identified very strongly with goth subculture were three times more likely than their non-goth peers to be clinically depressed by age 18. |
| They were also five times more likely to physically harm themselves, the researchers reported in The Lancet Psychiatry. | They were also five times more likely to physically harm themselves, the researchers reported in The Lancet Psychiatry. |
| At 15 the study participants were asked to what extent they identified with a variety of subcultures including sporty, popular, skaters, loners and bimbos. Three years later they were reassessed for symptoms of depression and self-harm. | At 15 the study participants were asked to what extent they identified with a variety of subcultures including sporty, popular, skaters, loners and bimbos. Three years later they were reassessed for symptoms of depression and self-harm. |
| Related: Whitby goth weekend – in pictures | Related: Whitby goth weekend – in pictures |
| Skaters and loners also presented an increased risk but not to the extent of goths, the researchers found. | Skaters and loners also presented an increased risk but not to the extent of goths, the researchers found. |
| “Young people who self-identified as sporty were least likely to have depression or self-harm at age 18,” said a statement. | “Young people who self-identified as sporty were least likely to have depression or self-harm at age 18,” said a statement. |
| It was possible, the team said, that “peer contagion” within the goth subculture was responsible for the link, but it could also be that the group attracted the depressed. | It was possible, the team said, that “peer contagion” within the goth subculture was responsible for the link, but it could also be that the group attracted the depressed. |
| “Teenagers who are susceptible to depression or with a tendency to self-harm may be attracted to the goth subculture which is known to embrace marginalised individuals,” said co-author Rebecca Pearson from the University of Bristol in Britain. | “Teenagers who are susceptible to depression or with a tendency to self-harm may be attracted to the goth subculture which is known to embrace marginalised individuals,” said co-author Rebecca Pearson from the University of Bristol in Britain. |
| Teenage goths should be closely monitored, the authors said, so that those at risk could be offered support. | Teenage goths should be closely monitored, the authors said, so that those at risk could be offered support. |