"How PTSD and Moral Injury Affect Fatherhood Among Israeli Veterans: The Role of Parental Beliefs"

What is it about?

Military service, especially combat exposure, can have long-term effects on veterans' mental health and family life. While posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) have been linked to challenges in parenting, less is known about how moral injury (MI)—feelings of shame, guilt, or betrayal from actions taken or witnessed in combat—affects fatherhood. This study examined how PTSS and MI impact parenting among Israeli combat veteran fathers. We surveyed 310 veterans and found that both PTSS and MI (especially shame-related MI) were associated with poorer parenting practices and lower parental satisfaction. Additionally, veterans’ beliefs about their children's anxiety played a key role in these relationships. Specifically, exposure to combat and morally distressing events indirectly influenced parenting through PTSS, shame-based MI, and cognitive biases about children's ability to cope with anxiety. These findings suggest that, beyond the well-known effects of PTSS, moral injury may also contribute to parenting difficulties among veterans. This highlights the need for targeted support and interventions that address not only PTSD symptoms but also the moral and emotional struggles veterans face, helping them develop healthier perceptions of their children’s emotions and improve their parenting practices.

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Photo by Stijn Swinnen on Unsplash

Photo by Stijn Swinnen on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research is critical not only in filling the existing research gap related to MI but also in its practical implications. Understanding the broader impact of combat-related trauma on family dynamics can inform the development of more effective support and intervention strategies for veterans and their families. Given the high prevalence of PMIEs among veterans, addressing these issues is of paramount importance.