ObjectiveTo explore the family function on patients with depression and its influential factors, in order to provide a basis for family support treatment for the patients. MethodsA total of 122 depressed patients from Mental Health Center of West China Hospital between February 2012 and June 2013, and one of their family members were chosen to be the study subjects. Another 122 non-clinical controls and one of their family members were recruited from a community near Sichuan University were regarded as the controls. All the subjects were asked to finish the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Family Assessment Device (FAD). Additionally, the patients received a diagnostic interview to provide the features of their depression. ResultsThe general average score of Q-LES-Q in families with depressed patients was significantly lower than that in the control families (t=-6.243, P<0.01). The general average score of each dimension in FAD for families with depressed patients was significantly higher than that for control families (t=3.644, 3.872, 2.694, 3.369, 5.369, 4.941, 5.241; P<0.01). According to FAD health division scoring, the unhealthy proportion in terms of communication, emotional reaction, emotional link, behavioral control and general function for families with depressed patients was significantly higher than that for control families (χ2=6.778, 23.698, 26.580, 39.875, 17.123, 10.712; P<0.05). The Q-LES-Q scores and the five FAD dimensional scores (except role and affective involvement) were negatively correlated (r=-0.388, -0.188, -0.200, -0.276, -0.370; P<0.05). The scores of perceived social support for families with depressed patients had significant positive correlations with the scores of all FAD dimensions except affective involvement (r=0.363, 0.345, 0.244, 0.418, 0.328, 0.457; P<0.05). The risk factors for unhealthy family function included: female (OR=1.141, P<0.05), poor education (OR=0.948, P<0.01), first-episode (OR=1.416, P<0.05), suicidal attempt (OR=1.014, P<0.05), incomplete suicide (OR=1.367, P<0.01) and depression episode number (OR=1.035, P<0.05). ConclusionDepression is associated with impaired family function in Chinese families. Female, poor education, first episode of depression, suicidal attempt, incomplete suicide and depression episode number are the influential factors for family function on patients with depression.