Mental Health Clinician Community Clergy Collaboration to Address Moral Injury Symptoms: A Feasibility Study

J Relig Health. 2021 Oct;60(5):3034-3051. doi: 10.1007/s10943-021-01257-y. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Abstract

Moral injury (MI) symptoms (guilt, shame, isolation) can be associated with military experiences. While a degree of overlap is recognized between MI and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, MI symptoms do not always respond to evidence-based treatments for PTSD. Mental Health Clinician Community Chaplain Collaboration (MC4) was delivered by community clergy to address MI symptoms through facilitation of forgiveness and community reintegration. Thirteen veterans participated and the results suggested that MC4 was generally feasible and acceptable. However, it is unlikely community clergy time could keep up with demand. Shifting intervention delivery to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) chaplains will alleviate many barriers experienced in this feasibility study.

Keywords: Acceptability; Community reintegration; Feasibility; Forgiveness; Moral injury.

MeSH terms

  • Clergy
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Humans
  • Mental Health
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / therapy
  • Veterans*