Moral injury is described as intense psychological distress which results from actions, or lack of actions, which violate an individual’s deeply held moral beliefs (Litz, 2009).
More simply put, moral injury occurs when you, or someone else, does something – or fails to do something – that goes against your core values. It is a psychological wound that comes from extreme life experiences. People who are morally injured often report persistent distressing feelings of shame, guilt, disgust, or anger.
While moral injury is not a new concept, there is still much to learn about its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Moral injury can occur in any population, such as military personnel, media workers, veterinary professionals and healthcare staff. Moral injury can arise when an individual is required to act against their personal morals, witnesses events that conflict with their values, or feels betrayed by those they trusted to protect them. While much of the research on moral injury has focused on occupational settings, it’s important to recognise that moral injury can affect anyone, regardless of employment status.
For more information on what moral injury is, watch the short animation below.
