Definitionv1DF-688
Moral injury
the psychological distress that results from actions, or the lack of actions, that violate a person's moral code, producing symptoms including shame, guilt, loss of trust, and existential disorientation
Why This Is a Definition
This definition precisely establishes the semantic boundary of 'moral injury' by specifying its cause (actions or inactions violating moral code), its mechanism (psychological distress), and its characteristic symptoms. It distinguishes it from related concepts like PTSD or depression while acknowledging its clinical recognition and co-occurrence with other conditions.