Co-creating a research-based e-storybook for children coping with parental moral injury: insights from affected communities and partners

This study provided an account of the affected community and partner (stakeholders) input into the interdisciplinary co-creation process and preliminary testing of the suitability of a research-based e-storybook for children coping with parental moral injury. Children whose parents have trauma-related mental health difficulties, including moral injury, tend to misunderstand their parent’s responses and behaviours. To date, there have been no research-based narrative resources to support these children. Our interdisciplinary, international team of researchers, clinicians, and those with lived experience co-created a bibliotherapy storybook using moral injury narratives. Using a mixed methods approach, a cross-sectional online survey of key affected communities and partners was conducted to explore the resources’ suitability. Preliminary findings suggest overall suitability and that the e-storybook’s narratives acted as a springboard to conversations about what was happening in their families. Thus, the co-creation process is an effective approach to developing targeted supports for children coping with parental moral injury.