Exploring moral injury among parents with children in out‐of‐home care

• DOI: 10.1111/cfs.13127
• Publication Date: 2024-01-03T06:09:18Z
• Authors: Therése Wissö; Anna Melke; Irene Josephson
• Keywords: Moral injury; Empirical Research; Distressing

Abstract This article brings together the experiences of parents whose children are placed in out‐of‐home care (OHC) with theoretical concept moral injury. The findings based on empirical data from a research and development project conducted seven Swedish municipalities aim developing support for such parents. draws set qualitative interviews 40 parents, 30 mothers 10 fathers, OHC. interview transcripts were analysed thematically, an abductive approach to theories data. illustrate how OHC experience injury relation aspects: professionals' morally problematic distressing behaviour, services, adversarial system, systemic bias, parent's actions, children's withdrawal feeling excluded. injuries related events several periods—prior child's removal, during execution removal OHC—and tend last many years. These stress that social services must be aware minimize possible harm We also suggest should have appointed worker as means support.