Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Objective This study aimed to explore family caregivers’ attitudes toward the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health care, investigate their acceptance intentions and influencing factors, and provide theoretical and practical evidence to support the effective implementation of AI in psychiatric nursing. Methods A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted between January and March 2026 at a mental health center in Henan Province, China. Eighteen caregivers with more than three months of caregiving experience were recruited. Interview data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis with NVivo 12.0. Results Four core themes were identified: perceived clinical benefits; emotional concerns and human connection; trust and adoption drivers; and barriers to AI implementation. Each theme included several subthemes reflecting caregivers’ multifaceted perceptions. Conclusions Primary caregivers of patients with mental disorders showed a cautiously accepting attitude toward the use of AI in psychiatric care. While acknowledging its potential benefits in risk monitoring, medication management, and healthcare support, they also expressed concerns regarding reduced emotional interaction, privacy risks, unclear accountability, and additional financial burden. Acceptance was influenced by physician recommendation, prior experience, and social perceptions.</p>