Morally injurious events and psychological distress among veterans: Examining the mediating role of religious and spiritual struggles.

Evans, Wyatt R.; Stanley, Melinda A.; Barrera, Terri L.; Exline, Julie J.; Pargäment, Kenneth I.; Teng, Ellen J.

doi:10.1037/tra0000347

Cited by 69 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Although exposures to specific traumas are often associated with negative outcomes among veterans, previous studies show that the experience of combat overall is related to both positive and negative outcomes. A recent study found that combat exposure predicted higher rather than lower LS (Evans et al, 2018), which is consistent with another recent study that showed a majority (72%) of combat-exposed veterans screened for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also reported personal growth or positive appraisals related to such events (Tsai, El-Gabalawy, Sledge, Southwick, & Pietrzak, 2015). The current study is concerned with tapping into the effects of combat and related exposures as they relate to later life wellbeing, and specifically to understand for whom these exposures have lasting negative, positive, or null effects.…”

supporting

confidence: 83%

The Role of Maternal Relationship in the Persisting Effect of Combat Exposure

Carr

Taylor

Meyer

et al. 2019

Innovation in Aging

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Background and Objectives The veteran population is aging. Combat exposure is associated with negative health and psychological outcomes in some, but not all veterans; others even appear to experience gains. One mechanism driving these varied responses might be early life relationships. This study investigated the extent to which the quality of early maternal relationships influences the association between combat exposures and life satisfaction (LS) among older male veterans. Research Design and Methods Data were drawn from a pooled sample of male veterans in the Health and Retirement Study who completed the 2013 Veteran Mail Survey (N = 1,160). We used ordinary least squares regression to examine the association between combat exposures (with and without exposure to death) and LS, and the moderating effect of maternal relationship quality on this association. Results We found a significant positive association between maternal relationship quality and LS, and a significant association of combat that was dependent on maternal relationship quality. Specifically, combat-exposed veterans with poor maternal relationship quality reported lower LS, whereas combat-exposed veterans with high relationship quality reported higher LS—relative to their noncombat-exposed counterparts. The effects of exposure to death of hazardous toxins did not mediate or moderate this relationship. Discussion and Implications Findings indicate that maternal relationships had a lasting influence on whether combat contributed to a positive, negative, or neutral long-term effect on wellbeing. Findings support previous studies that suggest early life factors may play an important role in the fostering of resilient health outcomes over the life course. Implications for preventative strategies in soldiers are discussed.

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supporting

confidence: 83%

The Role of Maternal Relationship in the Persisting Effect of Combat Exposure

Carr

Taylor

Meyer

et al. 2019

Innovation in Aging

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“…The literature reflects a close association between MI and spirituality (11, 18, 46, 53–65), with spirituality being described as underlying MI and MI having an equally salient impact on spirituality (55, 58, 61–68). A person’s spiritual worldview contributes to the development of MI, with rigid religious principles and expectations potentially enhancing guilt and self-condemnation following exposure to an MIE (63, 66).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spirituality and Moral Injury Among Military Personnel: A Mini-Review

et al. 2019

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Introduction: Moral injury (MI) results when military personnel are exposed to morally injurious events that conflict with their values and beliefs. Given the complexity of MI and its physical, emotional, social, and spiritual impact, a holistic approach is needed. While the biopsychosocial aspects of MI are more commonly addressed, less is known of the spiritual dimension and how to incorporate it into treatment that facilitates restoration of one’s core self and mending of relationships with self, others, and the sacred/Transcendent. The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between spirituality/religion (S/R) and MI as experienced by military members and veterans and to consider how S/R might be better integrated into prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: A mini-review of peer-reviewed articles published between January 2000 and April 2018 regarding the relationship between spirituality and MI among military personnel and veterans was conducted. Results: Twenty-five articles were included in the final review. Five themes were identified and explored, including i) Spirituality: A potential cause of and protective factor against MI, ii) Self and identity: Lost and found, iii) Meaning-making: What once was and now is, iv) Spirituality as a facilitator of treatment for MI, and v) Faith communities: Possible sources of fragmentation or healing. Discussion: Findings identified a cyclical relationship between S/R and MI, whereby S/R can both mitigate and exacerbate MI, as well as be affected by it. Seen as a type of S/R struggle, the use of S/R-specific strategies [e.g., forgiveness, review of S/R beliefs, engagement in S/R practices, and (re)connection with S/R communities], integration of S/R perspectives into general interventions, and help from chaplains may support healing, self-regulation, and mending of relationships, moral emotions, and social connection. Further research is yet needed, however, regarding i) S/R orienting systems, interventions, practices, and rituals/ceremonies that might protect against and treat MI; ii) features of individuals who do/do not experience MI; iii) S/R assessment tools and interventions; and iv) ways to maximize the positive contributions of faith communities.

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“…R/S strains may manifest in one's perceived relationship with God, interpersonal struggles with individuals or institutions with respect to religious issues, and intrapsychic confusion expressed through doubts about one's beliefs, sense of guilt after committing offenses, lack of ultimate meaning, and negative emotions (Exline et al 2000;Wilt et al 2019a). Although R/S struggles often appear to stem from stressful life events (Trevino et al 2019), which are typically associated with higher levels of depression (Ellison et al 2013;Vandecreek et al 2004;Vasegh et al 2012), anxiety (Abu-Raiya et al 2015), alcohol problems (Stauner et al 2019), post-traumatic stress disorder (Evans et al 2018), suicidal ideation (2000), and increased risk of dying of a life-threatening illness (Pargament et al 2001), there is empirical evidence that religious strains can be turning points in life (Wilt et al 2019b) as well. In fact, recent work suggests that R/S struggles may be a font of well-being (Szcześniak et al 2019;Zarzycka and Zietek 2019) and comfort (Van Tongeren et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Mediating Effect of Coping Strategies on Religious/Spiritual Struggles and Life Satisfaction

Szczęśniak¹,

Kroplewski²,

Szałachowski³

2020

Religions

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A growing number of researchers are testing potential problematic forms of religiousness that denote anxieties regarding sacred matters. However, only a few studies have assessed how religious/spiritual struggle is associated with positive outcomes. Because people’s coping responses to stressors are key determinants of their well-being, we expected that different coping strategies could be potential mediators between religious problems/tensions and life satisfaction. The research was conducted on a group of 744 Roman Catholics. We used the Religious Comfort and Strain Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) questionnaire. The outcomes show that religious comfort correlated positively with life satisfaction, while fear/guilt, negative emotions toward God, and negative social interactions surrounding religion correlated negatively with life satisfaction. Our research amplifies the understanding of the religious/spiritual struggles and life satisfaction relationship, mediated by “secular” coping strategies. It confirms that both religious and secular methods of experiencing different strains seem to coexist with multiple other strategies in the context of broadly understood life satisfaction.

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Morally injurious events and psychological distress among veterans: Examining the mediating role of religious and spiritual struggles.

Cited by 69 publications

References 37 publications

The Role of Maternal Relationship in the Persisting Effect of Combat Exposure

The Role of Maternal Relationship in the Persisting Effect of Combat Exposure

Spirituality and Moral Injury Among Military Personnel: A Mini-Review

The Mediating Effect of Coping Strategies on Religious/Spiritual Struggles and Life Satisfaction

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