An Empirical Investigation of Moral Injury in Combat Veterans
2015-09
Loading...
View/Download File
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
An Empirical Investigation of Moral Injury in Combat Veterans
Authors
Published Date
2015-09
Publisher
Type
Thesis or Dissertation
Abstract
The moral injury construct was proposed to identify and describe the deleterious impact of engaging in acts that transgress accepted boundaries of behavior during combat and that challenge one’s sense of self as a good person. These acts, labeled “transgressive acts,” are proposed to lead to a guilt and shame-based syndrome of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, demoralization, self-handicapping, and self-injury. Although the moral injury construct has been gaining clinical and popular attention in recent years, little empirical research on a frequently cited model of moral injury (Litz et al., 2009) has been conducted. The current study tested key tenets of this moral injury model using structural equation modeling (SEM) in a sample of combat-exposed male veterans (N = 190). Findings supported some assertions of this moral injury model. SEM supported the direct effect of transgressive acts on guilt, and the indirect effect of transgressive acts on suicidality and demoralization through guilt. An alternative configuration of moral injury wherein demoralization was a mechanism (not outcome) of moral injury fit the data adequately; transgressive acts had an indirect effect through demoralization on suicidality and PTSD. Limitations of the study include the use of cross-sectional data and limited measures of moral injury mechanisms and outcomes. We conclude with implications for future research for veterans experiencing moral injury.
Description
University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. September 2015. Major: Psychology. Advisor: Patricia Frazier. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 84 pages.
Related to
Replaces
License
Collections
Series/Report Number
Funding information
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
Previously Published Citation
Suggested citation
Frankfurt, Sheila. (2015). An Empirical Investigation of Moral Injury in Combat Veterans. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/183376.
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.