The present invention provides a method and a device for adjusting the sleep mode of a mobile station in order to solve the problem in current multi-hop relay systems of long time delays in data transmission caused when data packets have to wait for the next listening window to reach the mobile station because of packet errors. Wherein, a relay apparatus judges whether the previous hop network apparatus needs to retransmit data packets to the mobile station; when the previous hop network apparatus needs to retransmit data packets to the mobile station, the relay apparatus transmits to the mobile station the adjustment related information for adjusting the sleep mode of the mobile station. The mobile station adjusts the sleep mode according to the adjustment related information. Preferably, the adjustment related information comprises indicating information for indicating that the mobile station is in triggered listening status within predetermined time interval. In addition, the relay apparatus may also report the adjustment related information to the previous hop network apparatus. The technical solution provided by the present invention obtains shorter time delays, utilizes wireless resources efficiently, and decreases demand on relay apparatus.