A Scoping Review of the Components of Moral Resilience: Its Role in Addressing Moral Injury or Moral Distress for High-Risk Occupation Workers

AbstractPurpose of reviewHigh-risk occupation workers (HROWs) are often exposed to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) which can contribute to moral distress (MD) or moral injury (MI). Moral resilience (MR) has been proposed as a protective or moderating factor to protect HROWs from harm caused by PMIE exposures. The current review was designed to (1) update the definition of MR to a broader context of HROWs, (2) identify components of MR for HROWs, and (3) determine demographic variables that may impact MR development.Recent findingsThe existing research on MR primarily focuses on healthcare workers; research on other high-risk occupations is sparse.SummaryAn updated definition of MR was constructed and proposed for HROWs. A review of the existing literature identified six themes related to MR in HROWs (i.e., self-care, self-regulation, moral compass, moral courage, communication, and social support at work), alongside three key demographic variables (i.e., experience, religion/spirituality, gender/sex). Further research is needed on the strategies used by demographically diverse HROWs to develop MR and protect from or moderate PMIEs, MD, and MI.

Source: Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry - December 14, 2023 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research