Abstract: Objective To explore the relationship between family major changes and death related attitudes of medical students. Methods From September to December 2020,medical students from Xinjiang Medical University were investigated by using Zung self-rating depression scale（SDS） and self-designed questionnaire on death-related attitudes. And the data were analyzed. Results A total of 1 470 questionnaires were sent out and 1 445 valid questionnaires were retrieved. 77.4%（1 118 students） had experienced major family changes. There were statistically significant differences in the score of emotional factor of SDS,whether they talked about death-related topics at home or at ordinary times,and whether they had suicidal thoughts between the students who had experienced major family changes and not（all P<0.05）. The experiences of major family changes had no effect on the medical students' views on fear of death,death education,euthanasia,organ or body donation. Conclusion The experience of major family changes is a common phenomenon in medical students,and it has no effect on most death related attitudes,however,more attention should be paid to depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts of such medical students.

Key words: Family major changes, Medical students, Death-related attitudes, Death education, Euthanasia