Researchers at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) are looking for participants to take part in a study about the seasonal affects of the gloomy winter weather on mood and behavior in real time.

Dr. Michael Young, IIT Professor of Psychology, and Katherine Meyers, Illinois Institute of Technology researcher, will text five behavioral questions to participants for one week during the winter using smartphones. The data collected for the Thinking and Feeling Study (TAFS), will be analyzed once all the participants have responded to the questions which will be ongoing throughout the winter. The researchers will then contact the participants in the spring by email to answer some follow-up questions.

"Most seasonal depression studies are conducted once per month at a clinician's office. We are using smartphones to collect the data in real time to optimize results," said Meyers. "The goal is to raise awareness that seasonal depression is a serious issue and to help better understand how to treat it."

Eligible participants should be at least 18 years old and tend to have depressive symptoms in the winter. Participants must also have a smartphone and be able to receive text messages.

Researchers are accepting participants through the end of February. To participate, email Meyers and Young at tafs.iit@gmail.com.