The most common symptom of anxiety is excessive worry or concern. The main symptoms of depression are an excessively sad, irritable, or apathetic mood and a lack of motivation or interest in activities. However, relief may come from using self-organizing behavior. Self-organizing behavior is defined as actions intending to easily access ideas and objects through coordination and structure. This research project has three parts, each aiming to see if respondents who engage in self-organizing behaviors express fewer symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Adolescence is a critical developmental period that can strongly be influenced by exposure to stressful life events, heightened vulnerability to depression, and other mood disorders. Sleep patterns such as duration and midpoint are increasingly recognized as influential factors in emotional regulation and mental health. This study investigates whether sleep duration and midpoint moderates the relationship between stressful life events and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Using current data from the MoDA project, moderation analyses will be conducted using multiple regression models in R-Studio, testing whether the relationship between life stressors and depressive symptoms varies based on sleep characteristics as a controlling factor. We hypothesize that the association between stressful events and depressive symptoms will be stronger in adolescents with short and late sleep midpoints compared to those with longer and earlier sleep midpoints. Understanding these interactions may provide insight into how we conceptualize sleep as a modifying factor in adolescent mental health and additionally, create and inform future interventions aimed at reducing the burden of depression in the adolescent population.

When the term Music Therapy is stated, it is usually followed by questions such as, "What is that?" "What can you do with that?" "Do you just sing songs to people?" "If I can sing, can I do music therapy?" Questions like these leave people wondering what music therapy is. With the support of scholarly-reviewed articles, this study aims to demystify the field of Music Therapy with historical context, the science behind it, and ways to apply evidence-based research. Additionally, examples of music therapy Interventions used by board-certified music therapists within their private practice will be provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of music therapy with clients. Applicable to both scholars and non-scholars, a literature review on the field aims to be helpful for those considering the field and those looking to learn more about music therapy. Most importantly, this research seeks to raise curiosity and answer the questions often associated with the field.

Although social media is often associated with negative outcomes for youth, such as cyberbullying and emotional distress, it may also support emotional regulation among adolescents. This systematic literature review analyzed 23 studies from over 1,400 screened articles to examine the relationship between digital media use and emotional regulation for adolescents aged 11–19. Findings reveal both risks and benefits: while problematic use can contribute to dysregulation, online platforms also offer tools for coping, self-reflection, and emotional expression. Protective factors such as media literacy and parental mediation were also identified. These results highlight the need for a more balanced understanding of adolescent technology use and suggest pathways for promoting emotional well-being through digital engagement.