Secondary Traumatic Stress of Interpreters Working in Psychotherapy : Protective, Risk and Interpreter‐Specific Factors

Kurzfassung/Abstract

Background
Interpreters working in psychotherapy are frequently exposed to emotionally demanding situations and may develop secondary traumatic stress. However, quantitative research has largely focused on community interpreters, highlighting the need for data on symptom levels and associated risk factors among interpreters in psychotherapeutic settings.
Methods
Sixty‐three eligible interpreters were included. Secondary traumatization, psychological distress, resources, competence, occupational distress, empathy, as well as interpreter‐specific aspects such as flight experience and identification with the patient's cultural background were assessed using validated instruments. Data were analyzed using correlations and hierarchical multiple regression to examine general and interpreter‐specific risk factors.
Results
14.29% of participants scored above the clinical cutoff for secondary traumatic stress. In a hierarchical regression model predicting secondary traumatic stress (STS), the final model explained a substantial proportion of variance (adjusted R 2 = 0.52). In Step 3, interpreter‐specific factors contributed significantly to the model (Δ R 2 = 0.25, F_change (2,48) = 14.10, p < 0.001), with flight experience showing a significant negative association with STS ( β = −0.54, 95% CI [−0.97, −0.16]) and identification with the patient's cultural background showing a significant positive association ( β = 0.27, 95% CI [0.05, 0.47]).
Conclusion
Interpreters with personal flight experience and strong identification with the client's cultural background appear particularly vulnerable to secondary traumatic stress. Psychological distress, resources, competence, occupational distress, and empathy did not influence secondary traumatic stress. This suggests that support such as supervision and training should focus more specifically on interpreters' personal experiences and cultural match.
Summary
Approximately 14% of interpreters working in psychotherapy reported clinically relevant secondary traumatic stress.
Strong identification with a client's cultural background was associated with higher levels of secondary traumatic stress.
Supervision and training should address interpreters' personal experiences and cultural identification with clients.