A New Theory of Moral Injury: The Moral Failure Continuum, From Moral Slip to Moral Decay
Overview
A new theory of moral injury will be introduced in this presentation. First, we will review the current definitions of moral injury and provide a reconceptualizing of moral injury based on a review of character and moral injury from classical antiquity. Next, we will discuss moral injury within a Moral Failure Continuum Framework that comprises moral slips, moral stain, moral injury and moral decay, arguing that each of these types of moral failures are unique, requiring fundamentally different interventions that range from the non-clinical to the clinical. Then we present a dual process model of trauma that provides a scientifically rigorous model to testing this new theory of moral injury. We conclude by highlighting key clinical and non-clinical implications of this new theory.
Learning objectives
- List the key features of Moral Failure Continuum Theory
- Describe the four main categories of moral failure as identified in the Moral Failure Continuum Theory
- Compare the different definitions of moral injury
- Analyze the dual process of model of trauma describing how it applies to moral injury