Using Behavioral Economics to Predict Sensitivity to Moral Injury in Military Recruits: Validation of the Moral Injury Purchase Task

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to validate the Moral Injury Purchase Task, a novel behavioral economic tool, and to understand military recruits’ sensitivity to morally injurious events. Methods: Participants (N = 26) read a scenario that could prompt hypothetical feelings of moral injury and then reported the number of years they would purchase services – at varying price points – to help forget their experiences in war. Participants also completed the Moral Injury Events Scale (MIES). We calculated various demand indices and developed demand curves for military recruits and service/members veterans using Koffarnus et al’s equation. Results: Results showed that the demand curves for the 2 populations were not significantly different (F1, 438 = 5.30, p = .07) and the coefficient of determination was satisfactory when modeled on the entire sample (R2 = .90). MIES scores were positively associated with participants’ Pmax values (p = .03), providing preliminary evidence of convergent validity. Conclusions: This study provides initial evidence of the utility of using behavioral economics to assist in identifying recruits’ susceptibility to moral injury and thereby better target preventive services.