The response styles theory of depression posits that rumination, as a response to negative affect or events, can influence the course of an individual's depression (Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991). Psychosocial risk factors have been related to rumination and its effects on depression. Thus, research in this area should be expanded to incorporate such factors. Our study examined how perceived parental warmth and psychological control during adolescence influence trait and state (daily) rumination and depressed affect in adults. 100 adults with mild to moderate self-reported depressive symptoms completed a baseline study assessing perceived parental warmth and psychological control during adolescence. Participants also completed an 18-day diary study investigating the relations between trait and state levels of rumination and depressed affect. We analyzed data using the intraindividual coupling model. At the trait level, perceived parental psychological control was positively associated with rumination and depressed affect
conversely, perceived parental warmth was negatively associated with rumination, depressed affect, and perceived psychological control. Prior-day depressed affect was positively associated with depressed affect the following day. Perceived parental psychological control during adolescence was positively associated with state rumination and depressed affect. Interestingly, greater perceived parental warmth during adolescence decreased the effect of prior-day rumination on depressed affect, suggesting that parental warmth may buffer the depressogenic effect of rumination. These findings provide important insights into the risk factors associated with rumination and their associations with daily rumination and daily depressed affect in adults.