Mental Health and Work Experiences of Interpreters in the Mental Health Care of Refugees: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Interpreters often play a crucial role in the health care of refugees. Although interpreters working with refugees are regularly confronted with emotionally stressful content, little is known about their work-related stress and psychological well-being. Primarily qualitative studies indicate increased emotional stress in interpreters, and difficulties in handling the traumatic content from their clients. Additionally, the working conditions of interpreters appear to be demanding, due to low payment and a lack of supervision or adequate preparation.Objective: The presented systematic review aimed to identify and summarise quantitative and qualitative research on the mental health of interpreters in the mental health care of refugees.Method: A systematic search was performed in five databases, and specific interpreting journals were searched. After removal of duplicates, 6,920 hits remained. Eligible studies included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies as well as case studies and grey literature. The studies aimed to examine mental health aspects or work experiences of spoken language interpreters in mental health care settings for adult refugees.Results: Altogether, 25 studies were identified, including six quantitative and 19 qualitative studies. Studies were analysed and presented narratively. In the analysis of the qualitative studies, three themes emerged: “Emotions, behaviour, and coping strategies,” “Working in a triad,” and “Working environment.” In the quantitative studies, interpreters showed heightened levels of emotional stress and anxiety, and secondary traumatic stress reactions. In several qualitative studies, interpreters described a devaluing health care system and stressful working conditions with a lack of support structures.Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate a high level of stress among interpreters working with refugees. Quantitative data are sparse, and studies employ heterogeneous assessments in diverse study settings. Therefore, future quantitative research is necessary to consistently investigate interpreters' mental health in different mental health care settings.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42019117948.

Outsourcing Transcription: Extending Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Research

“…Twenty years ago, guidelines for the safety of social researchers were issued by the Social Research Association (2001) . Little attention, however, has been paid to the psychological safety of transcriptionists ( Kiyimba & O’Reilly, 2016a , 2016b ), who can potentially experience secondary stress and vicarious trauma ( Kiyimba & O’Reilly, 2016b ) which may be similar to the experiences of professional interpreters ( Geiling et al, 2021 ; Lai & Costello, 2020 ). Transcriptionists may also work on different projects, successively or in parallel, which may be of a similar nature, with the potential for long-term impacts.…”

Psychological distress, exhaustion, and work-related correlates among interpreters working in refugee care: results of a nationwide online survey in Germany

“…Crezee et al, 2013 ; Doherty et al, 2010 ). Quantitative research on psychological distress among interpreters is general still scarce (Geiling, Knaevelsrud, Böttche, & Stammel, 2021 ; Green et al, 2012 ). Previous studies focussed on rather work-related distress such as burnout or secondary traumatic stress (Birck, 2001 ; Kjellenberg, Nilsson, Daukantaité, & Cardeña, 2014 ; Shlesinger, 2005 ; Wichmann et al, 2018 ).…”

Mental health consequences of individuals affected by the 2022 invasion of Ukraine: Target populations in Japanese mental healthcare settings

“…In these processes, they may suffer from secondary traumatic exposure by getting involved with the refugees. 9 Lastly, they might be targets of racial discrimination and/or hate crimes. 3 Past-or present Japanese expatriates and their families in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus: Past or present Japanese expatriates and families in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus have been facing unique challenges to their mental health.…”

“…3 However, children may be overdependent, and parents might deprive children of their autonomy, limiting their psychosocial development, causing them to seclude themselves in any distress. 9 Many teachers are tolerant of the bullying behavior that many hikikomori experiences. Teachers believe this gives students a sense of collectivism and belonging, yet this promotes social reclusion.…”

“…Teachers believe this gives students a sense of collectivism and belonging, yet this promotes social reclusion. 3,7,9 Moreover, parents forgive and provide for their children unconditionally even in adulthood, which causes many adults to be overdependent, finding no issue to stay with their parents for prolonged periods and receiving financial support from them. 1 When one is ashamed due to failure, it is a virtue to withdraw oneself from society to avoid embarrassment, which can lead to suicidal behavior.…”