In the first path (path A) of Figure 3, the perceptionthat persons with mental illness are unable to care forthemselves is hypothesized to yield uncontrollability attri-butions. This path is consistent with the notion that thedemands of everyday life overwhelm the meager skills andresources of persons with psychiatric disabilities (Brock-ington et al., 1993; Cohen & Struening, 1962). Uncon-trollability attributions lead to two emotional reactions:pity and parental concern. The path to pity is consistentwith other research on uncontrollability attributions(Menec & Perry, 1998; Reisenzein, 1986; Schmidt &Weiner, 1988); pity, in turn, is expected to lead to helpingbehavior. In particular, I would expect citizens to provideless personally demanding forms of support (instrumentaland tangible) to individuals with mental illness who areperceived to not be in control of their symptoms