Depressive disorder is one of the common mental disorders, and its occurrence is usually attributed to the combined effects of multiple factors.The single genetic factor can't fully explain the cause of depressive disorder.Family factors have an important impact on the occurrence of depressive disorder, however, the impact of family factors on depressive disorder and its treatment has not been paid enough attention to.This paper reviewed the recent researches on family factors affecting depressive disorder and family therapy for depressive disorder.The results showed that family factors had an impact on depression patients of any age, and adverse family factors were risk factors for the occurrence, sustainable development and recurrence of depressive disorder.Most of the previous studies were horizontal, but few were longitudinal research.Family therapy plays a positive role in the treatment of depressive disorder and has a significant effect on the acute phase of depression except for major depressive disorder (MDD). Family therapy can quickly relieve the symptoms of depression.Further studies on family-based treatment intervention strategies for MDD are needed in the future, and more longitudinal studies are needed to further analysis of the influence of family factors on depressive disorder.