Naming feelings may help with anxiety, study shows

New research by scientists at Nagoya University in Japan shows that individuals with more pronounced autistic traits may find it easier to manage anxiety when they are able to name and describe their emotions. This was reported by Euronews. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, examines how the sense of uncertainty affects emotional coping strategies in adults. Researchers surveyed 505 Japanese individuals aged between 20 and 39, analyzing the relationship between autistic traits, uncertainty-related anxiety, and the tendency of people to express their emotions in words. Autistic traits include characteristics associated with the autism spectrum, such as differences in social communication, as well as a stronger need for routine, structure, and predictability. Scientists emphasize that these characteristics exist to varying degrees and can also be found among individuals without an autism diagnosis. The results show that participants with more pronounced autistic traits more frequently experience anxiety in unpredictable situations—a phenomenon known as “intolerance of uncertainty.” At the same time, these individuals also showed a greater tendency to describe their feelings in words—a process that scientists believe can help reduce emotional stress. Previous research has already shown that naming emotions—whether mentally, aloud, or in writing—can make difficult feelings easier to manage. The new study suggests that this strategy may be particularly beneficial for people with higher levels of autistic traits. According to the authors, the results could have practical implications in schools, therapy sessions, and family environments. Helping a person recognize and name what they are feeling—such as anxiety or overwhelm—can support emotional regulation, especially when they find it difficult to express their state on their own. However, the researchers emphasize that the results are preliminary. Participants were not clinically diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, meaning the findings cannot automatically be applied to all individuals with autism.