Abstract

Moral injury (MI) is a relatively new construct strongly associated with PTSD . However, an understanding of how MI contributes to PTSD , depression, and anxiety symptoms is lacking.Of particular concern is MI in civilians compared to military service members. This study was initiated as part of the project “Moral Injury and Healing of Combatants: NeurocognitiveCorrelates and Psychological Interventions,” funded by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science. Psychosocial support and health services are being provided to the military and civilian population by the Ukrainian Psychotrauma Center (UPC) in Lutsk, Ukraine, where the clinicians and researchers have the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of MI during the military conflict in Ukraine and develop approaches to help mitigate MI and associated mental health symptoms. Therefore, this study extends the understanding of MI as often co-occurring but still different from PTSD in civilian populations during wartime. The mechanisms of transgenerational transmission of genocidal trauma, risk, and protective factors of MI in the face of war atrocity will be discussed.

(The Nick Mackintosh Seminar Room is on the second floor of the department.)