Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the negative emoion and the relative factors in the caregivers of the schizophrenia patients in community. Methods212 caregivers from 12 communities psychotic service stations in 12 prefectures in Guangdong were investigated with the Zung Self-rate of Depression, the experience and attitude of the psychosis, the requirement and attitude on mental health knowledge, the social support scale, the family burden scale and the simply coping style questionaire. ResultsThere were 112 caregivers with no depression (52.8%), 57 with mild depression (26.9%), 30 with middle depression (14.2%), 13 with severe depression (6.1%). More than 50% caregivers worry about unsafty, getting into trouble, worse reputation, genetics, felt scare, strained relationship with the patients. There were significant differences in the hopelessness, the strained relaionship, treatment in other cities, superstition, hospitalization longer between the depression and no depression group, as well as in the economy burden, the interference in the family living, the amusement of family, the family relaionship, the body health and the mental health of the other family members, but no significant in the factors of the requirement and attitude on mental healh knowledge. The caregivers with depression reported less social support than the caregivers with no depression, but there was no difference between these groups in utilization of support. ConclusionThe caregivers of the schizophrenia patients experience negative emotion in community, who need mental and material assistance and the education of the knowledge about diseases.

Key words: schizophrenia, caregivers, depression, social support, family burden, relative factors