What is a moral injury?

A moral injury refers to the psychological, emotional, or spiritual suffering that results from actions taken or failed to be taken, which violate an individual’s moral or ethical code. This concept often arises in contexts such as military service, law enforcement, or healthcare, where individuals may encounter situations that conflict with their values or beliefs, causing them to experience guilt, shame, or a profound sense of wrongness. This damage to one’s conscience can have lasting effects on mental health and overall well-being.

While psychological disorders caused by stress and forms of depression can be associated with moral injury, they do not capture the essence of the term itself. Physical injuries concern bodily harm and do not pertain to the moral or ethical dimensions involved in moral injury. Thus, the description of moral injury as resulting from ethical violations is the most accurate representation of the concept.