Soldiers often face extreme moral dilemmas during times of war. Moral injuries are defined as "pervasive violations of one's values, beliefs, and ethics" that can cause lasting mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD 1. This research explores how soldiers might use their experiences of moral injury to inform their relational decision-making. It builds upon the concept of moral repair from Kitchener et al.'s work 2 and adds insights from psychological trauma literature 3.
To understand how soldiers integrate their experiences of moral injury into their relational decision-making, we must examine their personal narratives about these experiences. These stories can provide insight into what they value most deeply and how this may influence their interactions with others.
If a soldier experienced great pain because they had to make an immoral choice in combat - such as killing civilians or abandoning a comrade - then they may prioritize loyalty and trustworthiness in relationships moving forward. In contrast, if they felt conflicted about engaging in immoral actions but ultimately followed orders anyway - which is common - then they may be more likely to seek out support networks that validate them for making hard choices without judging them.
We should consider how soldiers process their experiences of moral injury through memory reconsolidation and emotional regulation strategies. During memory reconsolidation processes, people re-examine memories by recalling them and adjusting the associated meanings and emotions based on new information 4. As soldiers replay their moral injuries, they may find it difficult to access positive associations and instead focus on guilt or shame. Emotional regulation strategies help manage distressful feelings like guilt and shame by changing negative thoughts and behaviors into ones that are less harmful 5. Soldiers might use these strategies to cope with moral injuries and reduce their impact on future decisions.
Researchers have identified several ways that soldiers' experiences of moral injury could inform relational decision-making, including enhanced empathy for other veterans who also struggle with trauma, increased willingness to seek support from fellow service members, and heightened awareness of ethical dilemmas in daily life. By understanding this phenomenon better, we can provide tailored interventions that meet the unique needs of veterans struggling with moral injuries after combat.
How do soldiers integrate experiences of moral injury into their relational decision-making?
Soldiers who experience moral injury typically struggle with integrating these difficult experiences into their daily lives as they strive to maintain relationships with others around them. This can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation that make it difficult for them to form strong connections with friends, family members, and romantic partners. To address this issue, some individuals may seek support from therapists or other mental health professionals who specialize in treating trauma-related disorders.