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Affect labeling as a buffer: reducing anxiety in the face of violent news

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  • Pedro Hemsley
  • Lynda Pavão

Abstract

Affect labelling, the process of putting feelings into words, has been shown to have a calming effect on the brain. This study examines the impact of affect labelling on self-reported levels of anxiety after exposure to distressing news. We conducted an online experiment in which participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or a treatment group. Both groups were exposed to news about a violent crime and then asked to report their level of anxiety. The treatment group also went through a questionnaire to label their feelings before reporting their anxiety level. We found that self-reported anxiety levels were significantly lower in the treatment group, suggesting that affect labelling can be an effective tool for reducing anxiety generated by negative news.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Hemsley & Lynda Pavão, 2025. "Affect labeling as a buffer: reducing anxiety in the face of violent news," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(11), pages 1564-1567, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:apeclt:v:32:y:2025:i:11:p:1564-1567
    DOI: 10.1080/13504851.2024.2308569
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