Positive psychology offers approaches that go beyond reducing moral injury symptoms toward building the conditions for genuine flourishing.
PERMA and Moral Injury
Martin Seligman's PERMA model identifies five elements of wellbeing relevant to moral injury:
- Positive emotions: Deliberately cultivating joy, gratitude, and pleasure alongside moral injury treatment
- Engagement: Flow states that create absorption and counter moral injury
- Relationships: Quality connections that buffer against moral injury
- Meaning: Purpose that persists despite moral injury
- Achievement: Progress toward goals, even while managing moral injury
Signature Strengths and Moral Injury
Research shows that using your top character strengths in new ways is a robust moral injury intervention. The VIA Character Strengths survey identifies your strengths.
Integrating Positive Psychology with Moral Injury Treatment
Positive psychology doesn't replace moral injury treatment — it complements it. Treating moral injury removes obstacles; positive psychology builds the structure of a fulfilling life.