Moral Injury is a Risk Factor for Substance Use and Suicidality Among US Military Veterans with and without Traumatic...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is prevalent in veterans.
• Moral injury is a growing concern among veteran populations.
• Understanding the interplay between TBI, moral injury, and adverse outcomes is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between moral injury severity and outcomes such as substance use and suicidality in US veterans.
• To examine if Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) modifies these relationships.

Main Methods:

• A national survey of US veterans was conducted.
• Data included 252 veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and 1235 without.
• Multivariable linear regression analysis was employed to assess associations.

Main Results:

• Increasing moral injury severity was linked to higher substance use scores (p=0.04), with no significant difference between veterans with or without TBI.
• Increasing moral injury severity was positively associated with suicidal behavior scores (p<0.01).
• The association between moral injury and suicidal behavior was significantly stronger in veterans with TBI compared to those without (p=0.04).

Conclusions:

• Moral injury is a significant factor associated with adverse outcomes in veterans.
• Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) show a heightened risk of suicidal behavior when experiencing moral injury.
• Rehabilitation programs for veterans with TBI should incorporate screening for moral injury.