A substantial number of military and police personnel develop ‘moral injury’: guilt, shame and anger resulting from perpetrating or falling victim to moral violations. Yet, comprehensive knowledge and interventions regarding moral injury are currently lacking. This project combines an interdisciplinary study of the role of organizational, socio-technical and ethical-political factors in moral injury among military and police personnel, and the resultant development of three preventive interventions. For this project, an inter-institutional, interdisciplinary consortium is drawn together, that includes three societal partners. Scientifically, the findings of this project will help to comprehensively understand how contextual factors at different levels may influence susceptibility to developing moral injury among military and police personnel. In doing so, it will make a significant contribution to existing research on moral injury in particular, and stress and trauma-related problems in general, which is mainly psychological and individual-focused. In terms of societal merits, the project will identify key problems in existing interventions and develop and implement three innovative interventions, which is especially relevant given the counterproductive effects of some existing interventions. By examining whether and how moral injury in the military and police is currently recognized, prevented and compensated, and by improving these practices through new interventions, it will increase individual, organizational and societal resilience and address the suffering of those affected by violence and conflict in innovative ways. Overall, the project aims to advance the understanding and prevention of moral injury, and help reduce the risk of moral injury.
