Cultivating psychological flexibility to address religious and spiritual suffering in moral injury

Lauren M. Borges; Sean M. Barnes; Jacob K. Farnsworth; Wyatt R. Evans; Zachary Moon; Kent D. Drescher; Robyn D. Walser

doi:10.1080/08854726.2022.2031467

Cultivating psychological flexibility to address religious and spiritual suffering in moral injury

Lauren M. Borges, Sean M. Barnes, Jacob K. Farnsworth, Wyatt R. Evans, Zachary Moon, Kent D. Drescher, Robyn D. Walser

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the current paper, we aim to expand the dialogue about applying psychological flexibility processes to moral injury-related spiritual suffering using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Psychological flexibility is the process of practicing present moment awareness and openness to experiences of emotions and thoughts, while also choosing to engage in actions that are consistent with one’s values. This open, aware, and engaged approach to life fits well with spiritual endeavors. We provide a framework and a case example illustrating how spiritual care providers and Chaplains can use psychological flexibility processes to target spiritual suffering in the context of moral injury.

Original language	English (US)
Journal	Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2022.2031467
State	Accepted/In press - 2022
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
chaplain
moral injury
psychological flexibility
spiritual suffering

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Health(social science)
Religious studies
Clinical Psychology

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10.1080/08854726.2022.2031467

Cite this

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title = "Cultivating psychological flexibility to address religious and spiritual suffering in moral injury",

abstract = "In the current paper, we aim to expand the dialogue about applying psychological flexibility processes to moral injury-related spiritual suffering using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Psychological flexibility is the process of practicing present moment awareness and openness to experiences of emotions and thoughts, while also choosing to engage in actions that are consistent with one{\textquoteright}s values. This open, aware, and engaged approach to life fits well with spiritual endeavors. We provide a framework and a case example illustrating how spiritual care providers and Chaplains can use psychological flexibility processes to target spiritual suffering in the context of moral injury.",

keywords = "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), chaplain, moral injury, psychological flexibility, spiritual suffering",

author = "Borges, {Lauren M.} and Barnes, {Sean M.} and Farnsworth, {Jacob K.} and Evans, {Wyatt R.} and Zachary Moon and Drescher, {Kent D.} and Walser, {Robyn D.}",

note = "Funding Information: This paper is based on work supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but does not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.",

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language = "English (US)",

journal = "Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy",

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AU - Barnes, Sean M.

AU - Farnsworth, Jacob K.

AU - Evans, Wyatt R.

AU - Moon, Zachary

AU - Drescher, Kent D.

AU - Walser, Robyn D.

N1 - Funding Information: This paper is based on work supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but does not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - In the current paper, we aim to expand the dialogue about applying psychological flexibility processes to moral injury-related spiritual suffering using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Psychological flexibility is the process of practicing present moment awareness and openness to experiences of emotions and thoughts, while also choosing to engage in actions that are consistent with one’s values. This open, aware, and engaged approach to life fits well with spiritual endeavors. We provide a framework and a case example illustrating how spiritual care providers and Chaplains can use psychological flexibility processes to target spiritual suffering in the context of moral injury.

AB - In the current paper, we aim to expand the dialogue about applying psychological flexibility processes to moral injury-related spiritual suffering using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Psychological flexibility is the process of practicing present moment awareness and openness to experiences of emotions and thoughts, while also choosing to engage in actions that are consistent with one’s values. This open, aware, and engaged approach to life fits well with spiritual endeavors. We provide a framework and a case example illustrating how spiritual care providers and Chaplains can use psychological flexibility processes to target spiritual suffering in the context of moral injury.

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Cultivating psychological flexibility to address religious and spiritual suffering in moral injury

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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