Abstract:ObjectiveTo investigate the psychological status and mental health education needs for relatives in schizophrenia patients,and to provide basis for formulating nursing intervention meansures.MethodsA total of 320 relatives caring for schizophrenic patients admitted to the Red Cross Hospital of Luogang District in Guangzhou from June 2015 to February 2017 were investigated.According to the different ages,they were divided into groups of 20-35 years old (n=101),36-60 years old(n=201),and over 60 years old(n=18).By self-made demographic questionnaire,Symptom Checklist 90(SCL-90)and Mental Health Education Requirement Questionnaire,their mental health status and mental health education needs were investigated.ResultsThe scores of most factors of SCL-90 in the three groups were higher than those in nationwide survey.Mental health status in age group of 20-35 years old was serious with significant differences in somatization,obsessive-compulsive disorder,interpersonal relationship,depression,anxiety and fear(P<0.01).In the group of 36-60 years old,the scores of all factors were higher compared with those in nationwide survey(P<0.05).For the group of over 60 years old,only the average scores of somatization,depression,paranoid and psychosis in the relatives over 60 years old were higher than those in nationwide survey(P<0.05).Strong demands for health education in terms of patient′s condition and prognosis,relapse revention,treatment of side effects,social support and sleep disorder by the relatives accounted for 78.1%,71.9%,67.8%,86.3%,and 64.1%accordingly.ConclusionThe status of relatives′mental health in hospitalized schizophrenics is very poor.The nursing staff should pay attention to their mental health status,meet their psychological health education needs,and take psychological counseling in time in order to improve their mental health.