Abstract

Individuals higher on avoidant coping may remember fewer specific autobiographical memories and more nonspecific memories on the Autobiographical Memory Test in order to protect themselves from the painful emotions accompanying some specific memories. Habitually remembering this way may be a risk factor for depression. In Studies 1 and 2, avoidant coping was associated with more specific memories and fewer overgeneral memories, at odds with the functional avoidance view. In Study 3, there were no significant relationships between AMT indices and avoidant coping. Results are discussed in light of ironic process theory.