Thinking styles and coping behaviour were assessed in 13 unipolar depressed female inpatients and 12 nondepressed female control Ss. Measures of cognitive distortion and the willingness to cope were significantly correlated with the diagnosis and severity of depression. Combined, these measures predicted 55% of the variance in depression scores. Depressed women had more negatively distorted thoughts, and reported less coping behaviour when they were upset. They were less willing to try potentially helpful coping activities and had lower expectations than nondepressed individuals that coping efforts would be helpful. The additive, independent contributions of cognitive and motivational factors suggest that both should be considered in the etiology and treatment of depression.