A model for treating COVID-19-related guilt, shame, and moral injury

Psychol Trauma. 2020 Aug;12(S1):S174-S176. doi: 10.1037/tra0000742. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Abstract

During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, people around the world have faced a myriad of heart-rending and ethically difficult scenarios (e.g., not being able to tend to a sick or dying loved one) that may lead to subsequent guilt, shame, or moral injury. Trauma-informed guilt reduction therapy is a brief intervention that helps clients accurately appraise their role in a stressful event (such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic) and find positive ways to express important values going forward. Future studies of trauma-informed guilt reduction therapy with those affected by COVID-19 will be helpful for clarifying its effectiveness with this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Coronavirus Infections / psychology*
  • Guilt*
  • Humans
  • Morals*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / psychology*
  • Psychological Trauma / etiology
  • Psychological Trauma / therapy*
  • Psychotherapy, Brief
  • Shame*