Soldiers in combat can kill without moral injury
a day ago
- #military psychology
- #moral injury
- #combat stress
- Killing another person does not necessarily harm a soldier's mental health; context matters more than the act itself.
- Norwegian soldiers in combat (Afghanistan) showed no significant psychological differences whether they killed or not.
- Peacekeepers (Lebanon) who killed had higher PTSD, depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life compared to those who didn't.
- Peacekeepers' psychological wellbeing was more affected by threats to safety or witnessing suffering than combat soldiers.
- Combat soldiers operate under rules geared towards fighting, which may mitigate moral injury from killing.
- The study challenges the belief that killing inherently causes moral injury, suggesting it depends on mission context.
- Researchers acknowledge limitations, such as the time gap between deployment and response for peacekeepers.
- Findings highlight the need for context-aware psychological support and clear rules of engagement to minimize harm.
- Raises ethical questions about combat soldiers' potential willingness to harm captives or civilians classified as 'enemy'.