Abstract: Objective To determine the family member’s depression status and its influencing factors in the patient with mental disorder caused by cerebral trauma. Methods The self-designed information questionnaire and self-rating depression scale （SDS） were used to investigate 245 family members’ depression conditions. On the basis of SDS score index, all cases were divided into depression group and non-depression group. The data were analyzed by the univariate analysis and multiple factors regression analysis. Results In the 245 family members, 117 family members had different degrees of depressive symptoms including 68 with mild depression, 42 with moderate depression, and 7 with severe depression. In the multiple factors regression analysis, genetic relationship, personality characteristics and payment method were the main influencing factors of the depression status. Conclusion Much attention should be paid to the family member’s depression condition of the patient with mental disorder caused by cerebral trauma through specific psychological intervention.

Key words: forensic psychiatry, mental disorders, brain injuries, depression, family member