They found the more young people identified with the goth subculture, the higher their likelihood of self-harm and depression. Those who saw themselves as part of the goth group were already more likely to have shown signs of depression before the age of 15 and to have been bullied in the past. But scientists argue the link remains. Even once these factors are accounted for researcher. Dr Rebecca Pearson,from the University of Bristol, said there could be many reasons behind the trend, including the possibility that teenagers susceptible to depression were attracted to the goth way of life.