There has been an increasing recognition of the role that moral injury plays in the experience of LGBTQ+ individuals serving in the military. Moral injury is defined as "pervasive feelings of guilt, shame, and self-condemnation experienced after committing, witnessing, or learning about acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs or violate one's core identity" (Norris & Tracy, 2018, p. 4). For LGBTQ+ soldiers, this may include experiences such as being forced to hide their true identities while serving, experiencing discrimination or harassment from fellow service members, or participating in actions that contradict their personal values. These experiences can have a profound impact on soldiers' mental health and well-being, including affecting their relationships with others. This article will explore how experiences of moral injury interact with relational well-being among LGBTQ+ soldiers and provide suggestions for supporting them.
Moral injury can take many forms for LGBTQ+ soldiers, but some common examples include feeling guilty for hiding their true selves, shame for being perceived as different by colleagues, and self-criticism for not living up to societal expectations of masculinity or femininity. These feelings can be particularly harmful when they are combined with negative interactions with other service members who do not accept their identity or views on sexuality. Research suggests that these experiences can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidality (Cavanaugh et al., 2020; Norris & Tracy, 2018).
In addition to the direct impact on mental health, experiences of moral injury can also negatively impact relationships between LGBTQ+ soldiers and those around them. Feelings of guilt, shame, and self-criticism can make it difficult for soldiers to form close connections with others, leading to social isolation and loneliness. This can contribute to further psychological distress and exacerbate any existing emotional difficulties.
Experiencing discrimination or harassment from fellow service members can create a sense of mistrust and betrayal that may undermine trust in future relationships.
There are steps that can be taken to support relational well-being among LGBTQ+ soldiers who have experienced moral injury. Firstly, providing spaces for open communication and expression is crucial. This could involve creating safe, confidential environments where soldiers feel comfortable sharing their experiences without fear of judgement or retribution. Secondly, offering counseling services and resources such as therapy, support groups, and hotlines can help soldiers process their emotions and work through the effects of their experiences. Thirdly, educating colleagues about the realities of serving while LGBTQ+ can help promote understanding and acceptance, reducing the likelihood of negative interactions.
Advocacy efforts aimed at improving military policies and practices related to sexuality and gender identity can help reduce the prevalence of moral injury and create more inclusive environments for all service members.
How do experiences of moral injury interact with relational well-being among LGBT soldiers?
Research indicates that LGBT soldiers may experience unique challenges related to moral injury due to discrimination within military culture, which can negatively impact their relational well-being. Moral injuries are defined as experiences where individuals feel betrayed by their institutions or communities, such as the military, causing harm to others or oneself.