Finding the right words for feelings could help ease anxiety, study

EuroNews · 🇫🇷 public France · May 13, 2026 · 334 words · By Alexandra Leistner

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What to know about Finding the right words for feelings could help ease anxiety, study

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.

Claims checked 8

Techniques found 0

Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center75%

Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

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.

Why it matters

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.

Common ground

The study, published in Scientific Reports, explored how the uncomfortable feeling of uncertainty affects emotional coping strategies in adults.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

Follow-up questions

What concrete event or decision sits underneath the headline: Finding the right words for feelings could help ease anxiety, study?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that new research from Nagoya University in Japan?
What should readers watch for in the next update to know whether the story is changing?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/05/13/why-finding-the-right-words-for-feeli…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 8 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 6

verified Verified 1

verified Verified By Reference 1

verified

Claim 1: “new research from Nagoya University in Japan.”

VERIFIED

A web search result explicitly attributes the research on autistic traits and emotional labeling to Nagoya University in Japan, and Wikipedia confirms the existence of Nagoya University.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nagoya (名古屋市, Nagoya-shi; [naꜜ.ɡo.ja, -ŋo.ja, na.ɡo.jaꜜ.ɕi, -ŋo.jaꜜ.ɕi] , locally [na.ɡo.ja, -ŋo.ja]) is the capital and most populous city of Aichi Prefecture in Japan. It is the largest city in the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagoya

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nagoya City University (名古屋市立大学, Nagoya shiritsu daigaku), abbreviated to Meishidai (名市大), is a public university in Japan. The main campus (Kawasumi) is located in Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City. Other three…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagoya_City_University

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nagoya University (名古屋大学, Nagoya daigaku), abbreviated to Meidai (名大) or NU, is a Japanese national research university located in Chikusa-ku, Nagoya. It was established in 1939 as the last of the nin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagoya_University

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 2: “The researchers surveyed 505 Japanese adults aged between 20 and 39, examining autistic traits, anxiety linked to uncertainty, and the tendency to verbalise emotions.”

SINGLE SOURCE

One web search result explicitly confirms the study's methodology: 505 Japanese adults aged 20 to 39, measuring autistic traits, discomfort with uncertainty, and the tendency to put feelings into words.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Iwane Matsui (松井石根, Matsui Iwane; July 27, 1878 – December 23, 1948) was a Japanese general in the Imperial Japanese Army and the commander of the expeditionary force sent to China in 1937. He was co…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwane_Matsui

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asian mainland, it is bordered to the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Kampo or Kanpō medicine (漢方医学, Kanpō igaku), often known simply as Kanpō (漢方; Chinese medicine), is the study of traditional medicine in Japan following its introduction, beginning in the 7th century.…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kampo

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 3: “Previous studies have already shown that naming emotions, either internally, aloud, or in writing, can make difficult feelings feel more manageable.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The evidence provided for this claim consists solely of dictionary definitions for the word 'prior'. No scientific evidence or prior studies regarding emotional labeling were provided in the search results.

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web search NEUTRAL — PRIOR definition: 1. existing or happening before something else, or before a particular time: 2. before a…. Learn more.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/prior

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web search NEUTRAL — 7 meanings: 1. previous; preceding 2. → See prior to 3. statistics a prior probability 1. the superior of a house and community.... Click for more definitions.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/prior

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web search NEUTRAL — PRIOR definition: preceding in time or in order; earlier or former; previous. See examples of prior used in a sentence.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/prior

info

Claim 4: “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”.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence for this claim consists only of dictionary definitions of the word 'participant'. There is no evidence in the search results confirming the specific finding regarding intolerance of uncertainty for this study group.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — One that participates, shares, or takes part in something. adj. Sharing in or taking part; participating. par·tic′i·pance n. American Heritage®...
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Participants

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web search NEUTRAL — The meaning of PARTICIPANT is one that participates. How to use participant in a sentence.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/participant

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web search NEUTRAL — PARTICIPANT definition: 1. a person who takes part in or becomes involved in a particular activity 2. a person who takes…. Learn more.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/particip…

info

Claim 5: “The study, published in Scientific Reports, explored how the uncomfortable feeling of uncertainty affects emotional coping strategies in adults.”

SINGLE SOURCE

While Wikipedia confirms Scientific Reports is a peer-reviewed journal, the specific claim that this particular study on uncertainty and coping was published there is not corroborated by the provided search results (which show other unrelated studies from 'Anxiety Stress Coping' and 'Medium').

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A report is a document or a statement that presents information in an organized format for a specific audience and purpose. Although summaries of reports may be delivered orally, complete reports are …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Report

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Scientific Reports is a peer-reviewed open-access scientific mega journal published by Nature Portfolio, covering all areas of the natural sciences. The journal was established in 2011. The journal st…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_Reports

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A technical report (also scientific report) is a document that describes the process, progress, or results of technical or scientific research or the state of a technical or scientific research proble…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_report

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 6: “The participants were not clinically diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder”

SINGLE SOURCE

One web search result mentions a study where students with autistic traits were measured but were not clinically diagnosed with autism. While this supports the general idea, it is not explicitly linked to the Nagoya University study in the provided text, though it aligns with the context of the other claims.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nagoya University of the Arts (名古屋芸術大学, Nagoya Geijutsu Daigaku) is a private university in Kitanagoya, Aichi, Japan, founded in 1970.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagoya_University_of_the_Arts

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+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 7: “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.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Multiple sources, including Wikipedia and mental health resources, confirm that autistic traits include differences in social communication and a strong preference for routine and predictability.

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web search NEUTRAL — Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD),[a] is a condition characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a need or strong preference for predictabi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism

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web search NEUTRAL — Many people crave routine, prefer predictability, and become distressed when plans change unexpectedly. Other signs may include sensory sensitivities, highly specific interests, differences in facial …
https://ariamentalhealthsd.com/adhd-vs-autism/

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web search NEUTRAL — Autistic traits can include: Deep focus. Strong memory. Creative or analytical thinking. Preference for routine. Sensory seeking or sensory sensitivity.5. Preference for routine and predictability. St…
https://hively.com.au/autistic-traits-and-asd-symptoms/

info

Claim 8: “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.”

SINGLE SOURCE

Only one relevant web search result mentions that researchers at Nagoya University found evidence that people with higher autistic traits may cope with uncertainty by labeling feelings. Other results for this claim are generic educational sites (Study.com, Studocu) and are not evidence.

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web search NEUTRAL — Take online courses on Study.com that are fun and engaging. Pass exams to earn real college credit. Research schools and degrees to further your education.
https://study.com/

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web search NEUTRAL — Dive into millions of student-shared lecture notes, summaries, and study guides from thousands of courses. Why wait to pass your exams with better grades?
https://www.studocu.com/en-us

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web search NEUTRAL — Study Strategies That Work To really learn the material it's not always about how much time you put in, it’s about how you use that time. Research shows that certain strategies can make learning stick…
https://arc.duke.edu/study-strategies-that-work/

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.