Symptoms of moral trauma and value orientations in student youth in the conditions of war

Abstract

Purpose is to theoretically study the problem of moral trauma in the psychological literature and to empirically determine the specifics of the manifestation of symptoms of moral trauma and value orientations in student youth in war conditions.

Methods. The article uses the following methods: theoretical study of scientific literature (analysis, synthesis, generalization); organizational (comparative) method; empirical methods represented by a set of psychodiagnostic techniques (Moral Trauma Symptom Scale (MISS-M-SF) (adaptation for civilians by L. Zasekina, M. Kozigora).  Kozigora), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Test of Meaningful Life Orientations, Methodology for Diagnosing the Real Structure of Personal Value Orientations (S. Bubnov)); mathematical methods (quantitative and qualitative analysis, determination of group averages, Fisher’s φ-angle and correlation analysis); interpretive method.

Results. The problem of moral trauma in the psychological literature is considered mainly in the context of studying the problem of moral traumatization of military personnel, war veterans, representatives of emergency services and medical workers. Moral trauma is considered as a state of deep psychological or emotional distress that occurs when the basic moral values of a person are violated; as a violation of the inner conscience and values of a person arising in a situation of perceived moral wrongdoing, which causes an acute and deep experience of emotional guilt and shame (sometimes a feeling of betrayal, anger, and moral disorientation); in its experience, the following are important moral standards, moral reasoning, moral behavior, moral emotions, and moral consequences.

The results of the empirical study suggest that among the symptoms of moral trauma, the most pronounced are: loss of trust, religious struggle, and loss of religious/spiritual faith; above average were the symptoms of guilt, moral anxiety, difficulty forgiving, and self-condemnation; in the range of average values were identified the symptoms of betrayal, shame, and loss of meaning. Symptoms of moral trauma not only correlate with indicators of meaningful life orientations and values of a person, but are significantly related to a violation of the system of values, a decrease in the level of interest and awareness of life, its emotional intensity, lack of desire to make it as productive and controlled as possible and, in general, to be the subject of one's own life.

Conclusions. The theoretical review of the issue of moral trauma demonstrates the complexity and need for its further in-depth study. In particular, with regard to clarifying and detailing the symptoms of moral trauma of the civilian population in war conditions; taking into account the age, gender and professional aspects of its manifestation; defining programs for diagnosis and psychological support and accompaniment of persons experiencing moral trauma. We see the prospect of further scientific research in clarifying and actualizing the internal resources of the individual in dealing with moral trauma in war.