moral injury
Ethics-violating trauma aftermath
Moral injury is psychological damage from actions that violate one's ethical code—whether committed, witnessed, or failed to prevent.
Originally describing combat veterans haunted by wartime acts, it now applies broadly: The nurses who had to ration ventilators during the pandemic suffered moral injury.
Unlike PTSD, which centers on fear, moral injury centers on guilt, shame, or betrayal of deeply held values.
Guilt for wrongdoing
- self-blameAttributing fault to oneself
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- disgraceLoss of honor
- dishonorLoss of respect
self-condemnation · humiliation · stigma · regret · contrition · unworthiness · self-reproach · complicity
Armed hostile engagement
- veteranExperienced former soldier
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- warzoneArea of active fighting
soldier · rules of engagement · collateral damage · friendly fire · civilian casualties · atrocity · kill · orders
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
inner conflict · aftermath · crisis · violation · betrayal · existential crisis · loss of meaning · disillusionment
Regaining what was lost
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- self-compassionGentle understanding toward oneself
meaning-making · resilience · support group · reintegration · acceptance · growth · testimony · bearing witness
Study of right conduct
- valuesPrinciples held worthwhile
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- dutyRequired moral task
honor · beliefs · standards · transgression · identity · character · cognitive dissonance
remorse
Guilt for wrongdoing
- self-blameAttributing fault to oneself
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- disgraceLoss of honor
dishonor · self-condemnation · humiliation · stigma · regret · contrition · unworthiness · self-reproach · complicity · burden
combat
Armed hostile engagement
- veteranExperienced former soldier
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
warzone · soldier · rules of engagement · collateral damage · friendly fire · civilian casualties · atrocity · kill · orders · chain of command
PTSD
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
torment · inner conflict · aftermath · crisis · violation · betrayal · existential crisis · loss of meaning · disillusionment · intrusive thoughts
recovery
Regaining what was lost
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
self-compassion · meaning-making · resilience · support group · reintegration · acceptance · growth · testimony · bearing witness · ritual
ethics
Study of right conduct
- valuesPrinciples held worthwhile
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
duty · honor · beliefs · standards · transgression · identity · character · cognitive dissonance
- Military Mental HealthPTSD, combat stress, combat trauma, shell shock, battle fatigue
- traumaabuse, abandonment, abandonment trauma, acute stress, amnesia
- war traumashell shock, PTSD, combat fatigue, battle fatigue, combat stress
- workplace stressjob stress, work stress, occupational stress, job burnout, job anxiety
- Veteransveteran, vets, war veteran, war veterans, VA
- emotional painemotional pain, emotional scars, hurt, pain, anguish
moral injuryphysical injury
Bodily harm or damage
physical trauma · bodily harm · flesh wound · broken bone · concussion
moral injuryinner peace
Mental and emotional tranquility
peace of mind · clear conscience · moral integrity · equanimity · psychological well-being
injury, moral, morality, morals, morally, immorality, moralizing, demoralize, moralistic