Moral Injury and its Effects on Personal Relationships
In military service, soldiers are trained to maintain strict discipline, follow orders without question, and put their lives on the line for their country.
These rigid rules can cause moral injury if they witness acts that go against their beliefs and values. Moral injury is an emotional trauma caused by perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to, learning about, or experiencing acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs. It often manifests as feelings of shame, guilt, betrayal, hopelessness, and self-doubt. This article will examine how moral injury sustained during military service alters soldiers' expectations of fairness and trust in personal relationships.
Moral injury has been linked to increased risk of mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide. Soldiers who experience moral injury may feel isolated from family and friends due to the difficulty they have relating to civilian life. They may find it difficult to trust others, especially those in authority positions. This can lead to relationship difficulties, including divorce, job loss, and homelessness.
When soldiers return home, they often struggle with reintegration into civilian life and face challenges navigating social norms.
They may be sensitive to violence, have trouble setting boundaries, and become easily agitated. These symptoms can strain relationships with loved ones, leading to further isolation.
Veterans may suffer from survivor's guilt, feeling responsible for those who died or were wounded in combat. This sense of responsibility can make them hesitant to form close bonds with others.
Soldiers who sustain moral injuries also may have unrealistic expectations of fairness and justice. They may expect others to act according to their own code of conduct, which may not align with societal norms.
A soldier who witnessed war crimes by superiors may expect everyone else to behave ethically but find themselves disappointed when they encounter people who break rules or engage in morally questionable behavior. This can lead to feelings of betrayal, mistrust, and anger.
To cope with moral injury, soldiers may seek out safe spaces where they can connect with other veterans who share similar experiences.
These groups can reinforce negative beliefs about society and perpetuate distrust of civilians.
Veterans may feel pressure to conform to the group's values, even if they conflict with their personal beliefs.
Military service can cause significant emotional trauma that alters soldiers' expectations of fairness and trust in personal relationships. Veterans who experience moral injury must seek support to overcome these challenges and build healthy relationships outside the military.
How does moral injury sustained during military service alter soldiers' expectations of fairness and trust in personal relationships?
The moral injuries sustained by soldiers during their time serving on active duty can have a significant impact on their expectations of fairness and trust in personal relationships. This is because they may experience feelings of betrayal, guilt, shame, and powerlessness as a result of their experiences. These feelings can lead them to doubt the reliability of those around them and their ability to trust others, which can damage their relationships with family members, friends, and colleagues.