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Article published In:
Ethics of Non-Professional Translation and Interpreting
Edited by Esther Monzó-Nebot and Melissa Wallace
[Translation and Interpreting Studies 15:1] 2020
► pp. 36–56

Self-care as an ethical responsibility

A pilot study on support provision for interpreters in human crises

ORCID logo | Birkbeck, University of London
ORCID logo | Universidad de Alcalá
| Queen Mary University of London

This article presents a pilot research project which examined the effectiveness of remote, formal support, provided by Colleagues Across Borders, for volunteer interpreters in an immigration detention support NGO. We consider the occupational stress and susceptibility to vicarious traumatization and burnout for interpreters working in sensitive (e.g., refugee) contexts. It is argued that it is an ethical responsibility to keep oneself fit and well-prepared to perform interpreting assignments to the highest standards. The project offered an intervention of remote support for non-professional interpreters in a detention center who needed professional advice and emotional relief. Analysis of pre- and post-intervention focus groups and questionnaires indicates an improvement in self-care, resilience, confidence, and effectiveness after three support sessions, suggesting that a remote yet personal support program can mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma and burnout for non-professional and professional interpreters working in ethically challenging refugee contexts.

Keywords: burnout, professional pairing, ethical responsibility, remote support, self-care, resilience
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Occupational stress and interpreters in highly sensitive contexts
  • Vicarious trauma, burnout, and interpreters
  • Self-care strategies that build resilience, confidence, and effectiveness
  • The need for adequate support structures for interpreters in sensitive contexts
  • Pilot project on effectiveness of remote support
    • Methods
  • Results
    • Professional self-confidence, resilience, and effectiveness
    • Self-care and improved effectiveness
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 11 February 2020
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/tis.20004.cos
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