Moral Injury and Definitional Clarity: Betrayal, Spirituality and the Role of Chaplains
Abstract
This article explores the developing definition of moral injury within the current key literature. Building on the previous literature regarding 'Moral Injury, Spiritual Care and the role of Chaplains' (Carey et al. in JORH 55(4):1218-1245, 2016b. doi: 10.1007/s10943-016-0231-x ), this article notes the complexity that has developed due to definitional variations regarding moral injury-particularly with respect to the concepts of 'betrayal' and 'spirituality'. Given the increasing recognition of moral injury and noting the relevance and importance of utilizing a bio-psycho-social-spiritual model, this article argues that betrayal and spirituality should be core components for understanding, defining and addressing moral injury. It also supports the role of chaplains being involved in the holistic care and rehabilitation of those affected by moral injury.
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The harm caused by betrayal and broken trust may cause a betrayed partner's spiritual beliefs and/or spiritual community to feel unsafe or negative.
“When a betrayed partner shares information related to their spiritual faith, belief, and/or practice, oftentimes it is assumed to be a positive aspect of the healing process, when in reality, the harm caused by betrayal and broken trust may cause their spiritual beliefs and/or spiritual community to feel unsafe or negative in some way (Hodgson & Carey, 2017).”
From Betrayal Trauma Anger: Clinical Implications for Therapeutic Treatment based on the Sexually Betrayed Partner’s Experience Related to Anger after Intimate Betrayal (2024) · cites this paper as Hodgson & Carey, 2017
Cites
Moral injury and moral repair in war veterans: A preliminary model and intervention strategy
Litz, B. T., Stein, N., Delaney, E., Lebowitz, L., Nash, W. P., Silva, C., & Maguen, S. (2009) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.07.003 · Cited by 2,738 · see citing works
Defining and assessing moral injury: A syndrome perspective
Jinkerson, J. D. (2016) · Traumatology · doi:10.1037/trm0000069 · Cited by 381 · see citing works
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Moral Injury: An Integrative Review
Griffin, B. J., Purcell, N., Burkman, K., Litz, B. T., Bryan, C. J., Schmitz, M., Villierme, C., Walsh, J., & Maguen, S. (2019) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.22362 · Cited by 752 · see citing works
Moral injury and PTSD: Often co-occurring yet mechanistically different
Barnes, H. A., Hurley, R. A., & Taber, K. H. (2019) · The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences · doi:10.1176/appi.neuropsych.19020036 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Chaplaincy, spiritual care and moral injury: Considerations regarding screening and treatment
Carey, L. B., & Hodgson, T. J. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00619 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
Self-citationBorges, L. M., Barnes, S. M., Farnsworth, J. K., Drescher, K. D., & Walser, R. D. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.910414 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
McDaniel, J. T., Redner, R., Jayawardene, W., Haun, J., Clapp, J., Che, D., Renzaglia, K., & Abou-Jabal, D. (2023) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-023-01905-5 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Core components of moral injury groups co- facilitated by mental health providers and chaplains
Smigelsky, M. A., Trimm, V., Meador, K. G., Jackson, G. L., Wortmann, J. H., & Nieuwsma, J. A. (2022) · Spirituality in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1037/scp0000297 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Hollenbeck, E. D., & Steffens, P. D. (2024) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2024.2306940 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“…faith, belief, and/or practice, oftentimes it is assumed to be a positive aspect of the healing process, when in reality, the harm caused by betrayal and broken trust may cause their spiritual beliefs and/or spiritual community to feel unsafe or negative in some way (Hodgson & Carey, 2017).”
Background
- Authors
- Hodgson, T. J., & Carey, L. B.
- Affiliations
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- La Trobe University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Hodgson, Timothy J.
- Carey, Lindsay B.
- Venue
- Journal of Religion and Health
- Published
- 2017-05-19
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1212-1228
- ISSN
- 0022-4197 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-6571
- OpenAlex
- W2615776682
- Cited by
- 134
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 20 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 1.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Religion and Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Jungian Analytical Psychology
- Keywords
- moral injury, betrayal, spirituality, chaplains, spiritual care, biopsychosocial-spiritual model, holistic care, rehabilitation
- MeSH terms
- Clergy, Humans, Pastoral Care, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Professional Role, Spirituality
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