Moral injury refers to the psychological and spiritual suffering that can occur when an individual violates their own moral code or core values during military service, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and worthlessness. This type of emotional distress is often associated with combat experiences but can also arise from other sources, such as witnessing or participating in acts that go against one's personal belief system.
Many studies have found that LGBT soldiers experience higher rates of moral injury compared to their heterosexual counterparts due to the discrimination they face in the military.
Little research has been conducted specifically looking at how moral injury affects LGBT soldiers differently than their heterosexual counterparts.
I will explore the ways in which moral injury may impact LGBT soldiers who are serving in the military today. The article will be organized into three sections:
1. Understanding Moral Injury
2. The Experience of LGBT Soldiers in the Military
3. The Impact of Moral Injury on LGBT Soldiers
Understanding Moral Injury
Before delving into the specific issues faced by LGBT soldiers, it is important to first understand what moral injury is and how it differs from related concepts like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). PTSD occurs after exposure to a traumatic event, while TBI is caused by physical damage to the brain. Both conditions can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping. Moral injury, on the other hand, stems from violations of an individual's core values or beliefs during service. It can occur even if there was no direct physical harm or risk involved.
The Experience of LGBT Soldiers in the Military
LGBT soldiers have long struggled with discrimination and homophobia in the military, despite recent efforts to make the armed forces more inclusive.
Same-sex partners were only allowed to openly serve together starting in 2011, and transgender troops were not permitted until 2016. As a result, many LGBT soldiers have had to hide their identities to avoid being kicked out of the military or facing harassment. This secrecy and fear of discovery can create significant emotional distress, leading to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.
LGBT soldiers may feel morally conflicted about participating in military actions that go against their personal values, such as fighting in wars or serving under leaders who espouse bigotry. They may also experience guilt for joining the military at all, given its history of oppression towards LGBT individuals.
These factors can contribute to higher rates of moral injury among LGBT soldiers compared to heterosexual counterparts.
The Impact of Moral Injury on LGBT Soldiers
Moral injury can take a significant toll on mental health and well-being, leading to symptoms like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidality. These effects are likely amplified for LGBT soldiers due to their unique experiences within the military. They may struggle with feelings of shame and worthlessness related to their sexuality or gender identity, which can be exacerbated by exposure to traumatic events or violations of their core values.
LGBT soldiers may face additional stigma and discrimination even after leaving the military. This can make it difficult to seek help for moral injury and other psychological problems, further worsening their mental health.
LGBT veterans may have difficulty reintegrating into civilian life if they were forced out of the military due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Moral injury is a complex phenomenon that affects many aspects of an individual's mental health and well-being. For LGBT soldiers, this emotional distress is compounded by discrimination and secrecy within the military and challenges in finding support afterwards. It is crucial that we recognize these issues and provide adequate resources to assist LGBT veterans who are struggling with moral injury.
How does moral injury affect LGBT soldiers differently than their heterosexual counterparts?
Moral injury is a relatively new term that refers to trauma caused by acts of betrayal, disillusionment, violation, guilt, shame, and/or humiliation experienced during military service. Research has shown that LGBT soldiers are at greater risk for moral injury due to the discrimination they experience based on sexual orientation and gender identity within the military culture, which can lead to feelings of isolation and exclusion from their unit (Hunter et al.