Moral injury and moral distress

Abstract

Individuals who are exposed to traumatic events that violate their moral values may experience severe distress and functional impairments known as “moral injuries.” Despite interest, there is no consensus definition of moral injury. Research about moral injury, especially among military personnel, veterans, has proliferated. The scientific study of moral injury began 2009 with the definition that moral injurious events are those that entail “perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to, or learning about acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations”. These events include betrayal. Moral injury can have impact on symptoms of symptoms such as mental distress, posttraumatic symptoms, suicidal behavior, substance abuse, demoralization and hopelessness and interpersonal problems and loss of trust. For this study, conceptualize moral injury as both, the extent to which individuals appraise themselves as having committed moral violations and b) the extent to which individuals appraise themselves as victims of other betrayal or transgressive behavior. We reviewed scientific research about moral injury among healthcare personnel and the general public during the COVID - pandemic. Moral injury among healthcare personnel was related to exposure to severely ill patients and lack of support. Moral injury among the general public needs more research. To support healing in the aftermath of the COVID -19 pandemic it will be necessary to clearly define moral injury and identify potentially morally injuries events during the pandemic.