In times of war, soldiers are exposed to traumatic experiences that often result in psychological scars known as "moral injuries". These can include acts such as killing another person, witnessing death or destruction, feeling powerless, betrayal from leaders, or failure to protect others. Moral injuries have been shown to cause guilt, shame, anger, and self-doubt, which can lead to negative emotional outcomes like depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicide.
What has not been studied is how moral injury affects a soldier's internal narrative about love, support, and physical closeness. Soldiers may believe they do not deserve affection because of their actions during battle. They may become distrustful of those around them and hesitant to form close bonds due to fear of being hurt again. This paper will explore how moral injury changes a soldier's internal beliefs about worthiness of love, support, and intimacy through research findings and personal anecdotes.
Research Findings
Research studies have found that veterans who experience moral injury tend to develop a negative perception of themselves and their relationships with others. One study conducted by the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation found that moral injury was associated with decreased feelings of trust, empathy, and connection with others. Participants reported feeling disconnected from loved ones and struggled to maintain healthy relationships.
They had difficulty expressing affection and receiving positive feedback from partners. Another study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that soldiers exposed to combat trauma were more likely to report sexual problems and difficulties forming meaningful romantic relationships. These findings suggest that moral injury can have far-reaching consequences beyond mental health issues.
Personal Anecdotes
Personal stories from veterans also reveal the impact of moral injury on their sense of self-worth in romantic relationships. One veteran shared his experience of struggling to connect with his partner after returning home from war. He felt guilty about the things he had done and feared that his actions would cause harm to his loved ones if revealed. As a result, he kept secrets and withheld emotions, leading to distance between himself and his partner. Another veteran spoke about her fear of rejection and abandonment due to her experiences in battle. She described feeling like she did not deserve love or affection because of what she had seen and done during conflict. Despite these challenges, both individuals ultimately sought help through therapy and support groups for veterans. This demonstrates how moral injuries can be overcome with time and effort but require intentional steps towards healing.
Moral injury has a profound effect on soldiers' internal narratives about love, support, and intimacy. It is essential to address this issue to prevent long-term negative outcomes such as substance abuse, depression, and suicide. By understanding how moral injury alters one's perception of themselves and others, we can provide better care and support to those who have served our country.
How does exposure to moral injury alter a soldier's internal narrative about worthiness of love, support, and physical closeness?
The experience of military service can be incredibly demanding on one's mental health, especially when soldiers are exposed to situations that challenge their morals and values. Moral injury refers to the harm caused by violating one's deeply held beliefs or experiencing something horrific during combat. This type of trauma is often characterized by feelings of guilt, shame, and betrayal, as well as difficulties with establishing meaningful relationships with loved ones.