diff --git a/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_absence_of_matcher.rb b/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_absence_of_matcher.rb
index bd834c33d..084b0b28c 100644
--- a/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_absence_of_matcher.rb
+++ b/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_absence_of_matcher.rb
@@ -107,6 +107,8 @@ def value
             else
               obj
             end
+          elsif array_column?
+            ['an arbitary value']
           else
             case column_type
             when :integer, :float then 1
@@ -137,6 +139,12 @@ def reflection
           @subject.class.respond_to?(:reflect_on_association) &&
             @subject.class.reflect_on_association(@attribute)
         end
+
+        def array_column?
+          @subject.class.respond_to?(:columns_hash) &&
+            @subject.class.columns_hash[@attribute.to_s].respond_to?(:array) &&
+            @subject.class.columns_hash[@attribute.to_s].array
+        end
       end
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/unit/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_absence_of_matcher_spec.rb b/spec/unit/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_absence_of_matcher_spec.rb
index a8a99cda6..7d404297c 100644
--- a/spec/unit/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_absence_of_matcher_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/unit/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_absence_of_matcher_spec.rb
@@ -48,6 +48,49 @@ def self.available_column_types
         end
       end
 
+      if database_supports_array_columns? && active_record_supports_array_columns?
+        context 'when the column backing the attribute is an array' do
+          context 'of varchar' do
+            it 'still works' do
+              record = validating_absence_of(
+                :attr,
+                {},
+                type: :varchar,
+                options: { array: true, default: [], null: false },
+              )
+  
+              expect(record).to validate_absence_of(:attr)
+            end
+          end
+  
+          context 'of string' do
+            it 'still works' do
+              record = validating_absence_of(
+                :attr,
+                {},
+                type: :string,
+                options: { array: true, default: [], null: false },
+              )
+  
+              expect(record).to validate_absence_of(:attr)
+            end
+          end
+  
+          context 'of a type other than string' do
+            it 'still works' do
+              record = validating_absence_of(
+                :possible_meeting_dates,
+                {},
+                type: :date,
+                options: { array: true, default: [], null: false },
+              )
+  
+              expect(record).to validate_absence_of(:possible_meeting_dates)
+            end
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
       context 'when used in the negative' do
         it 'fails' do
           assertion = lambda do