Objective To understand perioperative and postoperative anxiety and depression levels among colostomy patients and their families, to explore the possible causes, and to probe into the impact of anxiety and depression levels on patient self-care ability. Methods Totally, 45 colostomy patients and their family members were surveyed perioperatively (before the surgery, and 3 days after the surgery) , and at postoperative 1, 3 and 6 months, with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the Ostomy Adjustment Inventory (OAI) , and the Stoma Self-efficacy Scale (C-SSES). Results Perioperative and postoperative anxiety and depression levels among the patients and their families had significant within-group effect （P＜0.05 for all）. At postoperative 6 months, family members′ anxiety and depression scores shortly after the surgery were positively correlated to patients′ ostomy adjustment scores and self-efficacy scores （P＜0.01 for both）. Conclusion Family members′ negative emotional response could affect colostomy patients′ ostomy adjustment, as well as anxiety and depression levels. Medical staff should provide support and assistance to patients and their families shortly after the surgery, help them control anxiety and depression, and pay persistent heed to patients′ physiological and psychological needs, in an effort to improve patients′ostomy adjustment and restore physical and mental health.