Veterans' positive parenting practices and satisfaction over time: Examining the impact of moral injury, posttraumatic stress, and internalizing symptoms.

Little is known about the association between moral injury (MI) and parenting. Although there is evidence that psychological symptoms impact veterans' parenting, few longitudinal studies exist. The current study used parallel process latent growth curve models to explore the effects of MI and other psychological symptoms on positive parenting practices and satisfaction in a sample of U.S. veterans who served following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks (n = 1,078). On average, positive parenting practices, α = -.09, p < .001, and satisfaction, α = -.13, p < .001, declined over time. MI from betrayal and depressive symptoms negatively predicted baseline positive parenting practices, BMI-Betray = -0.04, p = .004; BDepression = -0.08, p < .001, and parenting satisfaction, BMI -Betray = -0.04, p = .026; BDepression = -0.08, p < .001, and MI from self-induced (in)action negatively predicted baseline positive parenting practices, B = -0.04, p = .036. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were negatively associated with positive parenting practices, B = -0.04, p = .010, and parenting satisfaction, B = -0.06, p = .001, over time. MI appears to have a negative, short-term impact on parenting behaviors and satisfaction within the first 3 months of military separation. PTSD symptoms seem to exert a persistent, negative effect on parenting, which aligns with previous research in the military and veteran context.