Journal Article

A Qualitative Examination of VA Chaplains' Understandings and Interventions Related to Moral Injury in Military Veterans

Carroll, Timothy D., Sims, Brook M., McCormick, Wesley, Drescher, Kent D., Currier, Joseph M., Cauterucio, Christine, Nieuwsma, Jason A.

2018

Overview

This study examines VA chaplains' understandings of moral injury (MI) and preferred intervention strategies. Drawing qualitative responses with a nationally-representative sample, content analyses indicated that chaplains' definitions of MI comprised three higher order clusters: (1) MI events, (2) mechanisms in development of MI, and (3) warning signs of MI. Similarly, chaplains' intervention foci could be grouped into three categories: (1) pastoral/therapeutic presence, (2) implementing specific interventions, and (3) therapeutic processes to promote moral repair. Findings are discussed related to emerging conceptualizations of MI, efforts to adapt existing evidence-based interventions to better address MI, and the potential benefits of better integrating chaplains into VA mental health service delivery.

• Publisher: Springer,Springer US,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adult / Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Aging / Clergy - psychology / Clinical Psychology / Ethics / Humans / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Mental health care / Mental Health Services - organization & administration / Middle Aged / Military Personnel - psychology / Moral injury / Morality / Original Paper / Pastoral Care - organization & administration / Pastoral counseling / Public Health / Qualitative Research / Religious Studies / Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology / Veterans / Veterans - psychology