Addressing Moral Injury in the U.S. Military: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Research, Clinical Practice, and the Military-to-Civilian Transition-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The symposium focused on moral injury in the military, a complex and emerging issue distinct from PTSD. Lieutenant Colonel Walt Soden, along with colleagues including Chaplain Eric Reynolds and residents Captain Julia Schrader and Captain Natasha Schultz, explored this topic through research, clinical perspectives, and theological insights. Moral injury is generally understood as a disruption in one’s moral belief system due to experiences or events that violate personal moral codes, often linked to acts of commission, omission, or betrayal. <br /><br />The discussion included a detailed case study involving a military scenario in Afghanistan where orders resulted in unintended civilian casualties leading to severe emotional distress for the soldiers involved. The symposium highlighted that moral injury manifests through symptoms such as shame, guilt, anger, and a loss of trust, with significant impacts on mental health and identity. Notably, moral injury, though related to, is not the same as PTSD, which is more fear and anxiety-based.<br /><br />Various treatment options were reviewed, including cognitive therapies and potential benefits of group sessions for veterans to process their experiences. The research presented by Captain Natasha Schultz demonstrated that experiences of betrayal were particularly influential in exacerbating PTSD and anxiety symptoms during the transition from military to civilian life. Throughout the symposium, the need for continued research, validation of diagnostic tools, and interdisciplinary approaches was emphasized, along with the importance of integrating spiritual care into treatment plans. The symposium concluded with a call to action for more comprehensive understanding and management strategies in addressing moral injury both within and beyond military contexts.

Keywords

moral injury

military

PTSD

Lieutenant Colonel Walt Soden

Chaplain Eric Reynolds

Captain Julia Schrader

Captain Natasha Schultz

clinical perspectives

theological insights

Afghanistan

civilian casualties

emotional distress

treatment options

cognitive therapies

spiritual care