Racial differences in perception of ward atmosphere.

The authors administered the Moos Ward Atmosphere Scale (WAS) to 17 black inpatients and 17 white inpatients at a VA hospital. Scores on 5 of the 10 subscales reflected significant differences on the basis of race. From these results, the authors assume that black patients and white patients perceive the same ward environment differently. They briefly discuss the treatment implications of such perceptual differences.