Moral elevation is a positive emotion described as feeling inspired by others’ virtuous actions. Elevation has several psychosocial benefits, some of which may be relevant to trauma-related distress; however, past studies have primarily examined elevation in nonclinical, civilian populations or in naturalistic studies. This experimental study used mixed methods to assess if veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience elevation when exposed to elevation stimuli in a controlled setting. Participants included 47 veterans with significant PTSD symptoms. Following baseline measures and a written trauma narrative, veterans were randomized to an elevation or amusement condition where they viewed two videos intended to elicit the condition emotion. Veterans also provided a written journal response describing their reaction to the videos. Self-report measures were administered after each study task to assess state-level elevation and amusement. Veterans randomized to the elevation condition reported significantly higher levels of elevation after videos compared to veterans in the amusement condition. Qualitative results offered further support for differences between groups and identified unique themes related to the experience of elevation. Overall, findings indicate it is possible to induce elevation in veterans with significant PTSD symptoms. Additionally, qualitative results highlight specific benefits of elevation and potential targets for treatment integration and future exploration.

道德提升是一种积极的情感，被形容为受到他人道德行为启发的感觉。海拔升高具有多种社会心理效益，其中一些可能与与创伤有关的困扰有关。但是，过去的研究主要研究了非临床，平民人群或自然主义研究中的海拔升高。这项实验研究使用混合方法评估了在受控环境中暴露于高海拔刺激下的创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）退伍军人是否经历了高海拔。参与者包括47名具有明显PTSD症状的退伍军人。按照基线测量和书面的创伤叙述，退伍军人被随机分配到高海拔或娱乐状态，他们观看了两个旨在引起状态情绪的视频。退伍军人还提供了书面日记回应，描述了他们对视频的反应。在每项研究任务完成后，都要进行自我报告措施，以评估州一级的抬升和娱乐程度。与娱乐条件下的退伍军人相比，随机分配到高程条件的退伍军人在录像后的举报水平明显更高。定性结果进一步支持了群体之间的差异，并确定了与海拔体验相关的独特主题。总体而言，研究结果表明，有可能会在患有严重PTSD症状的退伍军人中引起海拔升高。此外，定性结果突出了标高的特殊优势以及治疗整合和未来勘探的潜在目标。与娱乐条件下的退伍军人相比，随机分配到高程条件的退伍军人在录像后的举报水平明显更高。定性结果进一步支持了群体之间的差异，并确定了与海拔体验相关的独特主题。总体而言，研究结果表明，有可能会在患有严重PTSD症状的退伍军人中引起身高升高。此外，定性结果突出了标高的特殊优势以及治疗整合和未来勘探的潜在目标。与娱乐条件下的退伍军人相比，随机分配到高程条件的退伍军人在录像后的举报水平明显更高。定性结果进一步支持了群体之间的差异，并确定了与海拔体验相关的独特主题。总体而言，研究结果表明，有可能会在患有严重PTSD症状的退伍军人中引起海拔升高。此外，定性结果突出了标高的特殊优势以及治疗整合和未来勘探的潜在目标。研究结果表明，有可能在患有严重PTSD症状的退伍军人中引起身高升高。此外，定性结果突出了标高的特殊优势以及治疗整合和未来勘探的潜在目标。研究结果表明，有可能在患有严重PTSD症状的退伍军人中引起身高升高。此外，定性结果突出了标高的特殊优势以及治疗整合和未来勘探的潜在目标。