Dear Colleague,

You are invited to take part in a national research study of behavioral health professionals. The study examines whether moral harm follows a four-step continuum: morally injurious events at work, the moral injury symptoms that can result from those events, the internal resilience we rely on to keep going, and burnout. It asks whether those events are connected to moral injury symptoms, whether those symptoms are connected to a decline in internal resilience, and whether that decline is connected to burnout symptoms. Each step is measured separately, so the study can evaluate whether the four are linked in sequence or are four separate problems.

You may be eligible if you:

• Are 18 or older

• Are currently employed in the behavioral health field in the United States (direct service, supervision, administration, or policy; licensure is not required)

• Work at least 20 hours per week in a behavioral health capacity

• Have at least two years of post-graduate experience in behavioral health

• Can complete a survey in English

What is involved: One anonymous online survey that takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Your privacy: The survey is anonymous. No names, email addresses, IP addresses, or employer names are collected, and no one, including the researcher, will know whether you took part.

Voluntary: Participation is completely voluntary and uncompensated. You may skip any question or stop at any time. Your decision to take part or not will not affect your relationship with Plymouth State University, any professional association, your employer, or the researcher.

To learn more or take the survey: Broken by Degrees Survey Link

Some questions ask about moral injury and burnout in your own work. Support resources are provided throughout the survey. If you are in crisis, please call or text 988.

If you know colleagues who may be eligible, you are welcome to forward this message.

Thank you for considering this invitation and for the work you do.

Sara Dupont, LICSW, MLADC

Doctoral Candidate, EdD Program, Plymouth State University sara.dupont@plymouth.edu

This study has been approved by the Plymouth State University Institutional Review Board (Protocol #IRB-FY2027-48, approved 9/22/2026). Faculty Advisor: Dr. Judith A. Belton, drjbelton@bemoreselfled.com. Questions about your rights as a participant: psu-irb@plymouth.edu