Goth subculture shows its dark side.

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The Times April 14, 2006


Goth subculture shows its dark side through self-harm and suicide rate
By Sam Lister, Health Correspondent



YOUNG people who become involved with Goth culture — the punk-rock-influenced genre usually associated with black clothes, make-up and androgyny — have a much higher tendency to harm themselves deliberately, research suggests.

A study by researchers at the University of Glasgow, published today in the British Medical Journal, indicates that almost half of teenagers who identify with the Goth subculture have attempted suicide or otherwise tried to hurt themselves. Even after accounting for factors such as social class, parental separation, smoking, alcohol use or previous depression, the team found that Goth identification remained the single strongest predictor of self-harm or attempted suicide.

The researchers surveyed 1,258 young people during their final year of primary school and again at ages 13, 15 and 19. They were asked about self-harm and association with a variety of youth subcultures, including Goth. It was found that being a Goth was strongly associated with a lifetime prevalence of self-harm (53 per cent) and attempted suicide (47 per cent).

Although 19th-century literature and horror film subject matter, such as vampires, are strong “Gothic” influences, the Goth movement became prominent during the early 1980s within the Gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk era. It is associated with characteristically Gothic tastes in music and clothing, ranging from lavish and androgynous Renaissance and Victorian dress to the black clothing, make-up and hair associated with contemporary popstars such as Marilyn Manson.

Research suggests that deliberate self-harm is common among young people, with rates of between 7 and 14 per cent in Britain. It is particularly widespread in certain populations and may be linked to depression, attempted suicide and various psychiatric disorders in later life.

The contemporary Goth youth subculture has previously been linked with self-harm, but until now there has been little supporting evidence. The Glasgow team analysed rates of self-harm among 14 other common youth subcultures. Some — such as punk and mosher — were also linked with self-harm, but the association was strongest for Goths.

Robert Young, the research leader, said that although fairly small numbers identified with the subculture, rates of self-harm and attempted suicide were high among the group. He said: “One common suggestion is that they may be copying subcultural icons or peers. But since our study found that more reported self-harm before, rather than after, becoming a Goth, this suggests that young people with a tendency to self-harm are attracted to the Goth subculture.”

Mr Young added that it was possible that being a Goth could provide young people with valuable social and emotional support from their peers, rather posing a risk to them. Michael van Beinum, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist and an adviser to the study, said: “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 to cope with the difficulties they face. Therefore, finding a peer group of like-minded Goths may, for some, be adaptive.”



The suicide rate in England is one of the lowest in the world. (Maybe we are happier than everyone else?)

The suicide rate in England is at its lowest level since record-keeping began in 1910, statistics indicate. Figures published by the National Suicide Prevention Strategy indicate that for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, there were 8.56 suicides per 100,000 people — a figure that the Government wants to reduce to 7.3 deaths per 100,000 for the period 2009, 2010 and 2011.



CULTURAL ROOTS


Many Goths regard themselves as being at odds with mainstream culture because of a dissatisfaction with society and a wish to be different, or they have a particular liking of the music and fashion style

Character traits associated with Goths include reclusiveness and melancholy. They often come from educated backgrounds

People drawn to Goth culture in the early days enjoyed the Punk revolt against the Establishment but shied away from the extreme extroversion. Violence is not common among Goths

Popular bands include Bauhaus, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Fields of the Nephilim, the Sisters of Mercy and the Mission. Marilyn Manson is a figurehead

The movement has spin-offs, including neo-Goths in the US, cuervos in Spain, dark in Latin America and gogans in Australia


thetimesonline.co.uk
 

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