High rate of self-harm among Goths

Teenage Goths are more likely to self-harm and attempt suicide than teenagers involved in other subcultures, a study has found.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow surveyed 1,258 young people at the age of 11, 13, 15 and 19 about self-harm and identification with a variety of youth subcultures, including Goth.

They found that those belonging to the Goth subculture had a strong association with both self-harm and attempted suicide. Fifty-three per cent admitted to self-harming, while 47% had attempted suicide.

Researchers said that even after adjusting for factors such as social class, parental separation, smoking, alcohol use or previous depression, Goth identification remained the single strongest predictor of either self-harm or suicide attempt.

The Goth culture is usually associated with black clothing and dark rock music by artists such as Marilyn Manson.

Mr Robert Young, lead researcher on the study, said: "Although only fairly small numbers of young people identify as belonging to the Goth subculture, rates of self-harm and attempted suicide are very high among this group."

Mr Young suggested that Goth teens might be copying subcultural icons or peers. However, he also said that since the study found that more teens reported self-harming before, rather than after, becoming a Goth, this suggested that young people with a tendency to self-harm are attracted to the Goth subculture.

Rather than posing a risk, Mr Young suggested that by belonging to this subculture young people gained "valuable social and emotional support from their peers".

"However, the study was based on small numbers and replication is needed to confirm our results," Mr Young added.

Dr Michael van Beinum, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and advisor to the study said: "Mental health problems are common in young people and there is evidence that they are on the increase. For some young people with mental health problems, a Goth subculture may be attractive, as it may allow them to find a community within which it may be easier for their distress to be understood.

"Social support is important for all young people to help them cope with difficulties they face and therefore finding a peer group of like-minded Goths may, for some, be adaptive. Adults helping young people in difficulty need to be aware that those who clearly identify with Goth subculture may also be self-harming and may benefit from learning further coping mechanisms to help them overcome inner distress. Further provision of mental health services for all young people is urgently required."

(KMcA)