Year of Award

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Other Degree Name/Area of Focus

Clinical Psychology

Department or School/College

Psychology

Committee Chair

Julie Olomi, PhD

Commitee Members

Rachel Williamson, PhD, Mark Heirigs, PhD

Keywords

moral injury, domestic violence, childhood exposure to domestic violence, trauma

Subject Categories

Child Psychology

Abstract

The profound impacts of Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence (CEDV) have been documented extensively, revealing long-term psychological effects such as the potential development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased likelihood of future victimization or perpetration of violence. Yet, the concept of moral injury (MI) traditionally explored in military and healthcare contexts, remains significantly underexplored in populations exposed to CEDV. This study examines the relevance of MI among individuals who experienced domestic violence (DV) during their youth. The research focused on two primary aims: (1) to describe the level and variability of moral injury-related distress among adults with histories of CEDV, and (2) to examine the relationship between moral injury, betrayal trauma, and trauma-related guilt. Participants (N = 54) completed self-report measures of moral injury, betrayal trauma, and trauma-related guilt. Results indicated that moral injury scores were positively associated with both betrayal trauma and trauma-related guilt, and that these variables independently accounted for variance in moral injury. These findings provide preliminary evidence that moral injury may be relevant for understanding the experiences of individuals with histories of CEDV and highlight the importance of moral and relational processes in trauma. Further research is needed to examine the broader applicability of the moral injury framework in this population.

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© Copyright 2026 Megan Elizabeth Denny