Teen Mood Research Study
Researchers at Temple University are conducting a study in teens to better understand motivation, mood, and how daily experiences shape emotional development.
Fast Facts
Experience high motivation and/or ambition
13-16
Years Old
Compensation
Provided Up To $1,075
Conducted in
Philadelphia, PA
Study Background
Researchers at Temple University are conducting a long-term study in adolescents ages 13–16 to understand motivation, reward responsiveness, circadian rhythms, and how these systems interact during teen development.
Project CREST aims to understand how teens’ motivation, reward responsiveness, sleep, and circadian rhythms work together to influence mood and emotional development. Differences in reward processing and daily biological rhythms may play a role in who later develops mood changes. By studying highly motivated and ambitious teens, we can better understand how reward sensitivity interacts with sleep patterns, life experiences, and brain activity over time.
This research will help identify early markers of risk and resilience, with the goal of improving early detection and developing future strategies to support healthy emotional development in adolescents.
Study Background
Researchers at Temple University are conducting a long-term study in adolescents ages 13–16 to understand motivation, reward responsiveness, circadian rhythms, and how these systems interact during teen development.
Project CREST aims to understand how teens’ motivation, reward responsiveness, sleep, and circadian rhythms work together to influence mood and emotional development. Differences in reward processing and daily biological rhythms may play a role in who later develops mood changes. By studying highly motivated and ambitious teens, we can better understand how reward sensitivity interacts with sleep patterns, life experiences, and brain activity over time.
This research will help identify early markers of risk and resilience, with the goal of improving early detection and developing future strategies to support healthy emotional development in adolescents.
Additional Information
In this research study, we are trying to understand how motivation, reward responsiveness, and circadian rhythms develop in adolescents. We aim to better understand the interaction between reward systems and daily biological rhythms in teens who show high motivation and ambition. Reward responsiveness is related to brain activity, behavior, and daily experiences, all of which we will measure. We also want to see whether we can predict changes in mood by studying these processes over time. To do this, we use neuroscience-guided assessments, including fMRI scans, behavioral tasks, ecological momentary assessments, and saliva sampling for melatonin, to examine how the brain’s reward and circadian systems function and interact.
You may qualify for a study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
Ages 13-16
Experience extremely high motivation and/or ambition (e.g., actively pursuing goals, showing enthusiasm for challenges, engaging in activities with passion and dedication)
Located in Philadelphia, PA
No current psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions)
No autism spectrum disorder
No use of melatonin or photosensitizing medications
No history of treatment with a bright light
No shift work/have not traveled across multiple time zones in the past month
Able to undergo MRI scan (no metal in the body, traumatic brain injury, pregnancy, or severe claustrophobia)
The entire study lasts 3 years. Once enrolled, the study involves:
In the lab: 2 study sessions at baseline (T1), T3, and T5 (yearly). Session 1 is remote and includes self-report questionnaires, diagnostic interviews, and life event interviews. Session 2 is in person and includes an fMRI scan, behavioral tasks, and training on how to complete 6 hours of saliva sampling for melatonin assays and 7 days of wearing an Actiwatch while completing 4 daily ecological momentary assessments (EMA) of events, mood, symptoms, and reward responsiveness.
From home: Between sessions, participants wear the Actiwatch continuously for 7 days and complete EMA surveys 4 times per day to track mood, activities, and reward responsiveness. At T2, T4, and T6 (6 months after each yearly session), participants complete a single remote session with questionnaires, interviews, and life-event tracking.
Adolescents may earn $925 for completing the entire 3-year study with a bonus of up to $150 for completing all components ($140 for completing 90%, etc.)
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.