Autobiographical memory, self-regulation, and well-being

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to highlight how autobiographical memory (AM) is related to well-being-how it is selectively used for adaptive self-regulation and how it serves different goals in different life phases. A structural view of AM is presented in a first section, with a description of theories related to the self-regulation aspects of AM. These aspects are illustrated in a second section by phenomena related to AM: The reminiscence bump, negativity/positivity effects, and the selfenhancement function linked to positive memories. The third and last section deals with AM-related therapeutic interventions that serve to improve or maintain personal meaning and SWB.