A Different Kind of Traumatic Experience Expanding Moral Injury

Abstract

When our moral beliefs face clear challenges, we are confronted with a choice: either pretend these challenges do not exist and continue adhering to our original moral principles—now feeling disingenuous—or acknowledge the evidence before us and adjust our beliefs accordingly. As we expand our understanding of how moral injury occurs in society, it is vital to recognize that a sincerely held moral belief, in and of itself, can be the catalyst for moral injury. Minorities, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, are often at increased risk for trauma as they are forced to choose between themselves and conforming to societal norms. The yoke of oppression in these instances can be the adoption of sincerely held moral beliefs as individuals try to navigate their sexuality while piecing together values and morality that often come from heterosexual norms and beliefs. As individuals encounter this trauma in life, their understanding of themselves and the world around them—whether in terms of social status, morality, or personal identity—becomes more pronounced in these challenging situations. This occurrence represents a critical juncture where the person is compelled to confront the difficulties and unfairness of life. Such adverse life experiences create the possibility that a moral belief may be recognized as false, even harmful. As such, people who have faced significant challenges are unlikely to hold onto their sincerely held moral beliefs without acknowledging the tension between their beliefs and their lived experiences, creating space for the person to accept the trauma and let go of the belief. These life events allow for a sense of healing to occur when the person recognizes the harm the moral belief caused by convincing them that who they are was genuinely wrong.