Article published In:
InterpretingVol. 16:2 (2014) ► pp.209–232
Sign language interpreters and burnout
The effects of perfectionism, perceived stress, and coping resources
The multidimensional construct of perfectionism is well studied as it relates to coping with stress and burnout (Childs &
Stoeber 2012; Flett & Hewitt 2002). Bontempo and Napier (2011) identify the personality trait of conscientiousness, which
includes perfectionistic traits, as beneficial to an interpreter’s job performance. In contrast, several studies suggest that
constructs related to maladaptive perfectionistic traits play a role in the development of burnout among interpreters, although
perfectionism has not been explicitly identified or used as a research variable (Qin et al. 2008). These studies identify key
components of both adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism in the assessment of stress-related outcomes, thereby laying the
groundwork for a more focused study on the particular role of perfectionism among interpreters who experience burnout. The current
study evaluated the relationship between perfectionism, perceived stress, coping resources and burnout in a sample of sign
language interpreters. The results provided support for the mediating role of perceived stress in the association of maladaptive
perfectionism and burnout within the sample. Coping resources did not serve as a moderator between perfectionism variables and
burnout, or as a moderated mediator between perfectionism variables and perceived stress. The implications of these findings for
sign language interpreters are discussed.
Keywords: stress, sign language interpreters, coping resources, perfectionism, burnout
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