In a pilot study of 72 psychiatric inpatients, relationships between state versus trait aspects of depression and perceived parental rearing have been investigated. It appeared that trait aspects (assessed by the mood scale of the Giessen test) yielded the most frequent and highest correlations with the factors rejection, emotional warmth and overprotection of the EMBU (Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran – My Memories of Upbringing) questionnaire of parental rearing. Particularly rejecting maternal rearing behaviour during childhood seems to constitute a risk factor for the development of trait depression during adulthoo