In a study of 100 inpatients suffering from depressive symptoms, the influence of cognitive characteristics (negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes) and of the severity of depression on the emotional reflections of social relationships were investigated at admission, discharge and 3 months follow-up. The reflections of strained relation and rejection in the family or partnership were significantly determined by negative cognitive patterns and severity of depression. The prognostic aspects of the assessed psychological characteristics and the psychotherapeutic implications of the results are discussed.