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Racial Resentment Boosts Conservative Shift Among White Non-Evangelicals

5/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sociology professor Philip Schwadel published a study linking racial resentment to conservative views among White non-evangelical Americans.
The analysis used Social Survey data from 2002-2022 on 8,048 White respondents, controlling for age, gender, income and region.
Among non-evangelical Whites—mainline Protestants, Catholics, other-religion affiliates and the nonreligious—higher racial resentment increased the likelihood of identifying as Republican or conservative.
Schwadel noted that the study’s design limits causal inference and recommended longitudinal research.

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Story summary

Sociology professor Philip Schwadel published a study linking racial resentment to conservative views among White non-evangelical Americans.
The analysis used Social Survey data from 2002-2022 on 8,048 White respondents, controlling for age, gender, income and region.
Among non-evangelical Whites—mainline Protestants, Catholics, other-religion affiliates and the nonreligious—higher racial resentment increased the likelihood of identifying as Republican or conservative.
Schwadel noted that the study’s design limits causal inference and recommended longitudinal research.