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

Journal Article (Journal Article)

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.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Drescher, KD; Currier, JM; Nieuwsma, JA; McCormick, W; Carroll, TD; Sims, BM; Cauterucio, C

Published Date

  • December 2018

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 57 / 6

Start / End Page

  • 2444 - 2460

PubMed ID

  • 30094678

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1573-6571

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s10943-018-0682-3

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States