Introduction When a parent is incarcerated, their child’s world is turned upside down. Beyond the emotional distress, stigma, and financial struggles, these children often wrestle with something deeper—moral injury. Imagine a child who looks up to their parent, only to see them behind bars. This experience can create profound psychological wounds, especially when it involves feelings of betrayal or conflicts with their moral beliefs. Psychologists refer to such experiences as Potentially Morally Injurious Events (PMIEs). Trauma models often highlight children’s emotional distress but tend to overlook moral injury, which stems from betrayal by a trusted figure like a parent. This blog explores the challenges children face in balancing loyalty to…