Why finding the right words for feelings could help ease anxiety, study
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People with higher levels of autistic traits may be more likely to cope with anxiety caused by uncertainty by putting their emotions into words, a new study finds.
People who show higher levels of autistic traits may be more likely to manage anxiety by identifying and naming their emotions, according to new research from Nagoya University in Japan.
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The study, published in Scientific Reports, explored how the uncomfortable feeling of uncertainty affects emotional coping strategies in adults.
The researchers surveyed 505 Japanese adults aged between 20 and 39, examining autistic traits, anxiety linked to uncertainty, and the tendency to verbalise emotions.
Autistic traits are characteristics linked to autism spectrum disorder, including differences in social communication as well as a stronger preference for routine, structure, and predictability. The team notes that these traits exist on a spectrum and can be present to varying degrees across the general population.
Naming emotions helps everyone
The team found that participants with stronger autistic traits were also more likely to experience anxiety in unpredictable situations, a phenomenon known as “intolerance of uncertainty”.
At the same time, these participants appeared more inclined to put their feelings into words, a process researchers believe may help ease emotional distress.
Previous studies have already shown that naming emotions, either internally, aloud, or in writing, can make difficult feelings feel more manageable. The new findings suggest this coping strategy could be particularly relevant for people with elevated autistic traits.
Naming means identifying
The researchers say this may have practical implications in schools, therapy sessions, and family settings. Helping someone identify what they are feeling, for example, by suggesting they may be anxious or overwhelmed, could support emotional regulation when they struggle to express distress themselves.
However, the authors stressed that the findings are preliminary. The participants were not clinically diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, meaning the results cannot automatically be generalised to autistic people.
The team is now conducting follow-up research involving adults with an autism diagnosis to investigate whether the same patterns emerge.
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