Assessed the opinion of Nigerian relatives of 75 schizophrenics and 20 major affective disorder cases (aged 15-65+ yrs) on aspects of the disease, and compared the results with the responses of relatives of cancer, infertility and sickle cell disease (SCD) cases. Caregivers were assessed using a burden questionnaire that contained items on etiological beliefs and attitudes to illness. The responses of relatives of the 2 psychiatric illness groups were similar. The single most important etiological factors were that "it is Satan's work" and "it is a natural illness." Other factors were "genetic," "witchcraft," and "curse by enemies." This was similar to the opinion of cancer and infertility caregivers; but different from SCD where the most important causative factors were "genetic" and "natural." Psychiatric caregivers had higher frequency of anger and stigmOver 2/3 of psychiatric caregivers felt glad caring for the patient and would not like the patient institutionalized. Most families were thought to be supportive and there was an impression that caring had made family emotional ties closer. To actualize the potential of families to play useful community psychosocial roles, there is a need for public mental health literacy and welfare support.