Stress, Vicarious Trauma and Emotional Impact of Dialogue Interpreters in Healthcare Settings: An Exploratory Review of Coping Strategies and Self-care

Abstract

This exploratory research deals with the stress, vicarious trauma, and emotional impact experienced by dialogue interpreters in healthcare settings while emphasizing the critical need for preventive coping strategies and self-care. Although technology and globalization have made communication faster and more accessible, language barriers persist, placing significant emotional and psychological demands on interpreters. Existing literature predominantly highlights the challenges and trauma interpreters face, but it falls short in providing practical and preventive solutions, particularly in the context of self-care tailored to the interpreting practice. Traditional coping strategies, often generalized and post-event focused, are insufficient for addressing the acute stressors health care interpreters face. This paper highlights the need for more nuanced and preventive self-care practices which includes journaling, participation in support groups, and ongoing professional training. These strategies aim to enhance interpreters' resilience, mental well-being, and long-term professional sustainability. The research also calls for a deeper exploration of self-care within the field of dialogue interpreting, with an emphasis on developing specialized training programs that integrate self-care into the interpreter's professional development. By doing so, interpreters can better prepare for both predictable and unpredictable stressful scenarios, ultimately improving their performance and safeguarding their mental health. The findings suggest that a more comprehensive approach to self-care, tailored specifically to the challenges of dialogue interpreters in healthcare settings, is essential for mitigating the risks of vicarious trauma and ensuring the long-term well-being and sustainability of interpreters in this demanding field.

Keywords

• Interpreting
• vicarious trauma
• dialogue interpreting
• stress coping techniques

References

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