{"id":72173,"date":"2026-04-29T14:07:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T19:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/?p=72173"},"modified":"2026-04-29T16:24:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T21:24:39","slug":"exploring-moral-injury-and-reintegration-challenges-among-post-911-us-veterans-a-qualitative-study-1-credit-hour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/?p=72173","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Moral Injury and Reintegration Challenges Among Post-911 US Veterans:  A Qualitative Study (1 credit hour)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Program Summary: \u00a0<\/strong>This course explores moral injury and reintegration challenges among post-911 US veterans. \u00a0Using qualitative interviews, the course considers the impact of moral injury on Veteran reintegration and identifies four qualitative themes: \u00a01. moral injury&#8217;s role in a changing sense of self and belonging during reintegration, 2. trust&#8217;s impact on social connection and disclosure during reintegration, 3. confronting moral injury in reintegration and reflecting on the cost of war, and 4. moral injury&#8217;s impact on post-traumatic growth. \u00a0Cognitive flexibility is identified as an important protective factor for accepting, adjusting, and moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reading: \u00a0<\/strong><em>Exploring Moral Injury and Reintegration Challenges Among Post-911 Veterans: \u00a0A Qualitative Study<\/em> by Leah Danson, Katrina Spontak, Ai-Nghia Do, Nicole Taylor, Matthew Stapleton, and Nicholas Rattray<\/p>\n<p><strong>Publisher:<\/strong> \u00a0Military Psychology<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23633 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/book_1404081347.png\" alt=\"Book Icon\" width=\"54\" height=\"50\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/articles\/Exploring-Moral-Injury-and-Reintegration-Challenges-Reading.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Open the Course Reading Here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Course\u00a0Objectives:<\/strong>\u00a0 To enhance professional practice, values, skills and knowledge by exploring moral injury and reintegration challenges among post-911 US Veterans.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Learning Objectives: \u00a0<\/strong>Describe moral injury and its impact on Veteran reintegration. \u00a0Identify the four qualitative themes relevant to Veteran reintegration and moral injury. \u00a0Describe cognitive flexibility and give an example of post-traumatic growth.<\/p>\n\t\r\n\t\t<link type=\"text\/css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/quizzin\/style.css\" \/>\r\n\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-includes\/js\/jquery\/jquery.js\"><\/script>\r\n\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/quizzin\/script.js\"><\/script>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<div class=\"quiz-area single-page-quiz\">\r\n\t\t<form action=\"?page_id=755\" method=\"post\" class=\"quiz-form\" id=\"quiz-470\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<p><strong>Course Available Until:<\/strong>  March 31, 2030.<\/p><p><strong>In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to <a href=?action=login>log in<\/a>. If you do not have an account, you will need to <a href=??action=register>register for a free account<\/a>.<p>After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course. <\/p><\/strong><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-1'><div class='question-content'> 1:  Leaving the military and returning to civilian society is a complex process that might include<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9050' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9050' id='answer-id-54839' class='answer answer-1' value='54839' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9050\", \"answer-id-54839\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54839' id='answer-label-54839' class='answer label-1'><span>finding employment<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9050' id='answer-id-54840' class='answer answer-1' value='54840' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9050\", \"answer-id-54840\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54840' id='answer-label-54840' class='answer label-1'><span>continuing education<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9050' id='answer-id-54841' class='answer answer-1' value='54841' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9050\", \"answer-id-54841\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54841' id='answer-label-54841' class='answer label-1'><span>addressing financial challenges<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9050' id='answer-id-54842' class='answer answer-1' value='54842' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9050\", \"answer-id-54842\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54842' id='answer-label-54842' class='answer label-1'><span>applying learned skills to civilian life<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9050' id='answer-id-54843' class='answer answer-1' value='54843' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9050\", \"answer-id-54843\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54843' id='answer-label-54843' class='answer label-1'><span>managing health needs<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9050' id='answer-id-54844' class='answer answer-1' value='54844' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9050\", \"answer-id-54844\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54844' id='answer-label-54844' class='answer label-1'><span>resuming and developing a social network<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9050' id='answer-id-54845' class='answer answer-1' value='54845' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9050\", \"answer-id-54845\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54845' id='answer-label-54845' class='answer label-1'><span>all of the above<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-2'><div class='question-content'> 2:  According to the PEW Research Center, approximately ___________ of post-911 Veterans report reintegration difficulties.<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9052' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9052' id='answer-id-54851' class='answer answer-2' value='54851' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9052\", \"answer-id-54851\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54851' id='answer-label-54851' class='answer label-2'><span>11%<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9052' id='answer-id-54852' class='answer answer-2' value='54852' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9052\", \"answer-id-54852\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54852' id='answer-label-54852' class='answer label-2'><span>22%<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9052' id='answer-id-54853' class='answer answer-2' value='54853' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9052\", \"answer-id-54853\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54853' id='answer-label-54853' class='answer label-2'><span>33%<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9052' id='answer-id-54854' class='answer answer-2' value='54854' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9052\", \"answer-id-54854\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54854' id='answer-label-54854' class='answer label-2'><span>44%<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-3'><div class='question-content'> 3:  Which of the following describes how moral emotions are often activated?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9054' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9054' id='answer-id-54901' class='answer answer-3' value='54901' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9054\", \"answer-id-54901\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54901' id='answer-label-54901' class='answer label-3'><span>with conflict<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9054' id='answer-id-54902' class='answer answer-3' value='54902' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9054\", \"answer-id-54902\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54902' id='answer-label-54902' class='answer label-3'><span>with sensory inputs<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9054' id='answer-id-54903' class='answer answer-3' value='54903' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9054\", \"answer-id-54903\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54903' id='answer-label-54903' class='answer label-3'><span>with stress<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9054' id='answer-id-54904' class='answer answer-3' value='54904' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9054\", \"answer-id-54904\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54904' id='answer-label-54904' class='answer label-3'><span>when individuals perceive that others may have judged them to have transgressed morally<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-4'><div class='question-content'> 4:  There is often ___________ between the many moralities and drives within a person and the different contexts they exist in.<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9055' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9055' id='answer-id-54863' class='answer answer-4' value='54863' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9055\", \"answer-id-54863\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54863' id='answer-label-54863' class='answer label-4'><span>agreement<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9055' id='answer-id-54864' class='answer answer-4' value='54864' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9055\", \"answer-id-54864\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54864' id='answer-label-54864' class='answer label-4'><span>friction<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-5'><div class='question-content'> 5:  \"That's what the Army done to me. \u00a0It's made me a mean, ugly, terrible person on the inside and I try to keep it on the inside but sometimes that ugliness comes out\" best describes which qualitative theme related to Veteran reintegration and moral injury?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9057' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9057' id='answer-id-54869' class='answer answer-5' value='54869' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9057\", \"answer-id-54869\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54869' id='answer-label-54869' class='answer label-5'><span>moral injury's role in a changing sense of self and belonging during reintegration<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9057' id='answer-id-54870' class='answer answer-5' value='54870' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9057\", \"answer-id-54870\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54870' id='answer-label-54870' class='answer label-5'><span>trust's impact on social connection and disclosure during reintegration<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9057' id='answer-id-54871' class='answer answer-5' value='54871' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9057\", \"answer-id-54871\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54871' id='answer-label-54871' class='answer label-5'><span>confronting moral injury in reintegration and reflecting on the cost of war<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9057' id='answer-id-54872' class='answer answer-5' value='54872' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9057\", \"answer-id-54872\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54872' id='answer-label-54872' class='answer label-5'><span>moral injury's impact on post-traumatic growth<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-6'><div class='question-content'> 6:  \"I don't share about a lot of the things that happened to me or things that I did. \u00a0Maybe I worry that someone would pass judgement on me, or people wouldn't understand, or they just want a cool story...\" best describes which qualitative theme relevant to Veteran reintegration and moral injury?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9058' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9058' id='answer-id-54873' class='answer answer-6' value='54873' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9058\", \"answer-id-54873\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54873' id='answer-label-54873' class='answer label-6'><span>moral injury's role in a changing sense of self and belonging during reintegration<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9058' id='answer-id-54874' class='answer answer-6' value='54874' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9058\", \"answer-id-54874\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54874' id='answer-label-54874' class='answer label-6'><span>trust's impact on social connection and disclosure during reintegration<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9058' id='answer-id-54875' class='answer answer-6' value='54875' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9058\", \"answer-id-54875\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54875' id='answer-label-54875' class='answer label-6'><span>confronting moral injury in reintegration and reflecting on the cost of war<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9058' id='answer-id-54876' class='answer answer-6' value='54876' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9058\", \"answer-id-54876\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54876' id='answer-label-54876' class='answer label-6'><span>moral injury's impact on post-traumatic growth<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-7'><div class='question-content'> 7:  Asking \"Was it worth it?\" best describes which qualitative theme relevant to Veteran reintegration and moral injury?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9059' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9059' id='answer-id-54913' class='answer answer-7' value='54913' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9059\", \"answer-id-54913\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54913' id='answer-label-54913' class='answer label-7'><span>moral injury's role in a changing sense of self and belonging during reintegration<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9059' id='answer-id-54914' class='answer answer-7' value='54914' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9059\", \"answer-id-54914\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54914' id='answer-label-54914' class='answer label-7'><span>trust's impact on social connection and disclosure during reintegration<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9059' id='answer-id-54915' class='answer answer-7' value='54915' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9059\", \"answer-id-54915\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54915' id='answer-label-54915' class='answer label-7'><span>confronting moral injury in reintegration and reflecting on the cost of war<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9059' id='answer-id-54916' class='answer answer-7' value='54916' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9059\", \"answer-id-54916\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54916' id='answer-label-54916' class='answer label-7'><span>moral injury's impact on post-traumatic growth<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-8'><div class='question-content'> 8:  The ability to accept ones past actions or take a different perspective best describes<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9060' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9060' id='answer-id-54885' class='answer answer-8' value='54885' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9060\", \"answer-id-54885\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54885' id='answer-label-54885' class='answer label-8'><span>meditation<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9060' id='answer-id-54886' class='answer answer-8' value='54886' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9060\", \"answer-id-54886\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54886' id='answer-label-54886' class='answer label-8'><span>cognitive flexibility<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9060' id='answer-id-54887' class='answer answer-8' value='54887' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9060\", \"answer-id-54887\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54887' id='answer-label-54887' class='answer label-8'><span>emotional regulation<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9060' id='answer-id-54888' class='answer answer-8' value='54888' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9060\", \"answer-id-54888\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54888' id='answer-label-54888' class='answer label-8'><span>journaling<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-9'><div class='question-content'> 9:  \"I had to transform my thinking to realize that the past is the past and you are not going to be able to change it, so you have to learn from it, and you have to be able to use that to your advantage\" best describes which qualitative theme relevant to Veteran reintegration and moral injury?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9061' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9061' id='answer-id-54905' class='answer answer-9' value='54905' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9061\", \"answer-id-54905\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54905' id='answer-label-54905' class='answer label-9'><span>moral injury's role in a changing sense of self and belonging during reintegration<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9061' id='answer-id-54906' class='answer answer-9' value='54906' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9061\", \"answer-id-54906\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54906' id='answer-label-54906' class='answer label-9'><span>trust's impact on social connection and disclosure during reintegration<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9061' id='answer-id-54907' class='answer answer-9' value='54907' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9061\", \"answer-id-54907\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54907' id='answer-label-54907' class='answer label-9'><span>confronting moral injury to reintegration and reflecting on the cost of war<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9061' id='answer-id-54908' class='answer answer-9' value='54908' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9061\", \"answer-id-54908\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54908' id='answer-label-54908' class='answer label-9'><span>moral injury's impact on post-traumatic growth<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-10'><div class='question-content'> 10:  \"Now looking back at it, it's like I almost had to go through that, like depression to be where I am at now...\" best describes which qualitative theme relevant to Veteran reintegration and moral injury?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9062' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9062' id='answer-id-54893' class='answer answer-10' value='54893' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9062\", \"answer-id-54893\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54893' id='answer-label-54893' class='answer label-10'><span>moral injury's role in a changing sense of self and belonging during reintegration<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9062' id='answer-id-54894' class='answer answer-10' value='54894' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9062\", \"answer-id-54894\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54894' id='answer-label-54894' class='answer label-10'><span>trust's impact on social connection and disclosure during reintegration<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9062' id='answer-id-54895' class='answer answer-10' value='54895' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9062\", \"answer-id-54895\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54895' id='answer-label-54895' class='answer label-10'><span>confronting moral injury in reintegration and reflecting on the cost of war<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9062' id='answer-id-54896' class='answer answer-10' value='54896' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9062\", \"answer-id-54896\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54896' id='answer-label-54896' class='answer label-10'><span>moral injury's impact on post-traumatic growth<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><p><strong>In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to <a href=?action=login>log in<\/a>. If you do not have an account, you will need to <a href=?action=register>register for a free account<\/a>.<p>After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course. <\/p><\/strong><\/form><\/div><\/font>\n<p>Review our\u00a0<a href=\"..\/?page_id=133\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pre-reading study guide.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course. \u00a0She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience. \u00a0She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City. \u00a0She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital\/medical social work. \u00a0The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Program Summary: \u00a0This course explores moral injury and reintegration challenges among post-911 US veterans. \u00a0Using qualitative interviews, the course considers the impact of moral injury on Veteran reintegration and identifies four qualitative themes: \u00a01. moral injury&#8217;s role in a changing sense of self and belonging during reintegration, 2. trust&#8217;s impact on social connection and disclosure [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cultural-competence","category-veterans"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=72173"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72173\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=72173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=72173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=72173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}