Civilian moral injury: associations with trauma type and high-frequency heart rate variability in two trauma-exposed community-based samples

Abstract Background Moral injury exposure (MIE) and distress (MID) may indirectly affect the relationship between trauma alterations in autonomic regulation [assessed via high-frequency heart rate variability (hfHRV)] civilians, but this has not been tested prior research. We conducted two exploratory studies to examine types' associations with MIE MID among civilian medical patients (Study 1) explore how these facets type hfHRV civilians seeking mental health services 2). Methods Participants recruited from a public hospital and/or community advertisements 1, n = 72, 87.5% Black, 83.3% women; Study 2, 46, 71.7% 97.8% women) completed measures assessing type, MIE, MID. In types that emerged as significant correlates of were entered into separate linear regression analyses. Trauma identified included predictors indirect effects models or mediator resting (assayed electrocardiography) outcome. Results Childhood sexual abuse only predictor b 0.38, p < 0.001; childhood abuse, 0.26, 0.05, adulthood assault, 0.23, 0.05 greater demonstrated lower hfHRV. Adulthood assault showed an effect on through MID, B −0.10, s.e. 0.06, 95%CI (−0.232 −0.005). Conclusions was uniquely associated violence civilians. Data highlight moral pathway which dysregulation emerge its salience for treatment selection.