Abstract
This study examined the effects of White racial identity using the ORAS-R and its subscales, on views of mental illness. Specifically, the study examined how White racial identity impacted White participants' evaluations of either a Black or White American described as having a substance use disorder or major depressive disorder. The sample consisted of 362 participants who self-identified as White Americans, with ages ranging from 18 to 78 years old (M = 41.11; SD = 12.47). Additional analysis was done to determine the reliability of the different subscales of the ORAS-R. Only the Conflictive and Reactive subscales had high enough reliability to be used in this study. Overall, it was found the ORAS's subscales, participants' gender, race of the person in the vignette, and the type of illness were predictive of participants' empathy and views of the illness described. It was also found that participants' view of personal responsibility, danger, and normality of the illness were influenced by the type of mental illness. In addition, the race of the person in the vignette was correlated with changes in the prognosis.