Mark Christopher Lane
The concept of moral injury (MI) continues to gain research traction in the helping professional fields. Researchers continue to debate different components of MI. Defining, assessing, and treating MI captures much of the psychological literature. Despite this, standardized holistic conceptualization and treatment have yet to be realized. Worldview has been proposed as an important factor influencing how individuals interpret experiences, construct meaning, and respond to the world around them. As such, this qualitative exploratory multiple case study examined whether behavioral health providers' worldview may shape how they describe MI, its associated sequelae, and potential intervention approaches within US Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs settings. This project was guided by case study principles, based on worldview theory, and used the conceptual understanding of MI presented by Jinkerson. A total of eight (N = 8) participants completed all data collection (100% response rate). Data were collected through surveys, journaling, and interviews. The researcher used codebook template analysis to analyze the data. Findings suggested possible differences in how participants described MI, its associated consequences, and treatment approaches across metaphysical worldview orientations. A discussion of the findings and their implications, as well as advice for future research, concludes this report.