Goth Music and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study

Tom Ter Bogt,Massimiliano Pastore,William W Hale,Natale Canale,Alessio Vieno

doi:10.1007/s10964-020-01294-y

Tom Ter Bogt, Massimiliano Pastore + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-020-01294-y

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Abstract

Identification with Goth youth culture has been related to elevated levels of depression, self-harm and suicide ideation. However, this identification may be difficult to assess as Goth is stigmatized and adolescents may hesitate to self-identify. Conversely, adolescents readily respond to questions on their music preferences. This study addresses the potential link between liking Goth music and depressive symptoms in a four-year study among 10 to 15-year-olds (N = 940, M age = 12.4 at T1, 49% female). In this study, it was found that Goth music is only liked by a small minority of adolescents (4 to 11%). Both girls and boys who liked Goth music reported increased levels of depressive symptoms as they grew older. The findings of this study suggest that a preference for Goth music emerges as an early, sensitive marker of dormant or developing depressive symptoms in adolescents. The mechanisms through which music preferences can translate into or sustain depressive symptoms are discussed.

Highlights

Depression among adolescents is a commonly occurring disorder that causes much impairment to youth (Kessler et al 2012)
It is for this reason that music preferences, as a psychosocial factor, have been related to the development of adolescent depressive symptoms
In order to assess whether Goth music preference is linked to Goth youth culture respondents were asked to indicate the extent to which they identified with Goth subculture and believed it suited them

Summary

Introduction

Depression among adolescents is a commonly occurring disorder that causes much impairment to youth (Kessler et al 2012). As a part of peer group belongingness, music preferences play a role in determining group inclusion, in addition to other aspects such as appearance and behaviors (Van Zalk et al 2011) It is for this reason that music preferences, as a psychosocial factor, have been related to the development of adolescent depressive symptoms. This study explores why and how early adolescent music choices, in particular for Goth music, may function as gender specific markers of subsequent rises in adolescent depression symptomology. Respondents reported on their gender, age and education level (vocational training vs pre-academic education).

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