Moral injury is defined as "a type of injury to the conscience that occurs when one violates his/her personal values or morals" (Owens, 2018, p. 64). It can be caused by witnessing or committing acts such as sexual harassment, discrimination, violence, abuse, torture, and war crimes. Relational satisfaction is an individual's perception of their relationship as meeting their needs for affection, support, and intimacy. In general, it has been found to buffer against the psychological effects of moral injury. This means that people who have high levels of relational satisfaction are less likely to experience mental health problems associated with moral injury than those who do not.
The specific mechanisms through which this occurs are still unknown.
One possible explanation for this phenomenon is that relational satisfaction provides individuals with a sense of belonging and connection to others, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. When individuals feel connected to their partner, they may also be more motivated to seek out social support in times of need, which can help them cope with difficult emotions related to moral injury.
Relationships provide opportunities for self-disclosure and validation, which can help individuals process their experiences and come to terms with their actions.
A person who has committed a crime may feel guilty about what they did, but their partner may reassure them that they are still lovable and worthy of love despite their actions.
Another potential mechanism is that relational satisfaction helps regulate negative emotional states. When people are satisfied with their relationship, they tend to experience greater positive affect and lower levels of stress and anxiety (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). This can make it easier to deal with the emotional challenges associated with moral injury, such as guilt, shame, anger, and fear. Relationship partners can also serve as a source of empathy and compassion, helping individuals work through their painful emotions.
Research suggests that relational satisfaction may buffer against the psychological effects of moral injury by increasing resilience. Resilience refers to an individual's ability to bounce back from adversity and maintain well-being even in the face of significant challenges (Masten, 2007). People who are highly resilient are better able to cope with stress and maintain positive mental health, even when faced with difficult situations. Research has found that romantic relationships can increase resilience by providing a sense of security and stability, as well as giving individuals a sense of purpose and meaning in life (Zimet et al., 2013). By fostering these qualities in their relationship, couples may be more likely to weather the storm of moral injury and come out on the other side stronger than before.
Relational satisfaction appears to play an important role in mitigating the psychological impact of moral injury. It does so by reducing feelings of isolation, enhancing emotional regulation, and promoting resilience. Understanding how these mechanisms operate could lead to new interventions for individuals struggling with moral injury and related mental health problems.
In what ways does relational satisfaction buffer against the psychological effects of moral injury?
Relational satisfaction has been shown to act as an important psychological resource that can help individuals cope with the negative psychological effects of moral injury, such as feelings of guilt, shame, betrayal, and stigma. Research suggests that strong social support from family members, friends, and coworkers can help individuals process their experiences of moral injury and move forward positively, even if they continue to experience negative consequences like anxiety and depression.