Abstract: Objective: To investigate cognition of primary caregivers of patients with severe mental disorder towards violent behaviors of these patients. Method: A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate 208 mental patients' primary caregivers from one psychiatry hospital in Beijing. Result: The incidence rate of violent behaviors to primary caregivers outside of the hospital was 74.04%. Their cognition towards violent behaviors of patients with severe mental disorder was deficient especially about how to deal with the sign of violent behaviors and the relative skills. 46.15% of caregivers did not understand the manifestation of violent behaviors and 68.75% of caregivers did not understand the skills to deal with violent behaviors, towards violent acts 39.42% of the primary caregivers felt ashamed to seek help when they were attacked by patients and another 42.79% of the primary caregivers believed violent acts were inevitable and held negative attitudes. Conclusion: Primary caregivers suffer a high incidence rate of violent attacks and hold negative attitudes and low cognition towards violent behaviors.Reasonable nursing interventions should be made in hospitals and communities and health education should be provided for caregivers to reduce violent attacks.