Objective To determine the relationships between family resilience of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and caregiver burden, and to provide references for targeted nursing measures. Methods The sample of 138 SLE patients and their family caregivers completed the Chinese version of Zarit Caregiver Burden and the Family Adaptation Scale. Results The family resilience score of SLE patients was (77.95±20.91) points, and the median (interquatile range) caregiver burden score was 31.00（22.00,43.25）points. Family resilience was significantly negatively associated with caregiver burden （P＜0.01）.Gender of patients, types of families, occupation and marital status of caregivers conspired to influence the level of family resilience （P＜0.05,P＜0.01）. Conclusion Family caregiver burden of SLE patients was at medium level. Family resilience may ease caregiver burden.Therefore, measures should be taken to enhance family resilience of SLE patients, in an effort to ease caregiver burden.