Exploring the Relationships Between Moral Injury, Moral Resilience, and Locus of Control in Active Filipino Military Personnel

Abstract

Moral injury (MI) involves psychological distress resulting from events that violate deeply held moral beliefs, while moral resilience (MR) refers to the capacity to sustain moral functioning despite such adversity. This study examined the relationships among MI, MR, and locus of control (LOC) among active-duty Filipino soldiers from the First Scout Ranger Regiment, with grit and spirituality explored as supplementary variables. Data were collected from 180 participants through self-report measures. Analyses included Spearman’s rho correlations, hierarchical regressions, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results indicated a significant inverse relationship between MI and MR. Furthermore, SEM findings indicated that a more external LOC predicted higher levels across MI domains. Findings were interpreted through Sikolohiyang Pilipino concepts, which helped explain the coexistence of moral distress and resilience among Filipino soldiers. This study underscores the importance of cultural context in understanding MI and resilience and highlights the role of attributional beliefs in shaping moral outcomes within active-duty military populations. Keywords: moral injury, moral resilience, locus of control, Filipino psychology, grit, spirituality, military personnel