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

• DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01257-y
• Publication Date: 2021-04-17T11:02:21Z
• Authors: Jeffrey M. Pyne; Steve Sullivan; Traci H. Abraham; Aline Rabalais; Michael Jaques; Brandon Griffin
• Keywords: Moral injury; Shame; Forgiveness; Isolation; Veterans Affairs

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.