Exploring the experience of Polish interpreters who interpret for mental health professionals: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Literature Review: \nThe aim of the review was to explore the research literature in relation to the \nexperiences of interpreters of migrants in a mental health context. A systematic \nreview of the literature was carried out in order to provide a thematic synthesis \nof the findings of previous research. Of the 1805 articles found, eleven met the \ninclusion criteria for the review. The process followed Thomas and Harden \n(2008) recommendation of data collection, critical appraisal and thematic \nsynthesis. In total, five themes were uncovered. These were ‘mental health \ninterpreting is an enhanced role’; ‘bearing witness’; ‘emotional impact’; \n‘relationship matters’ and ‘coping (trial and error)’. The literature purported to \nshow the added complexities of interpreting when compared to non mental \nhealth settings. Interpreters can be emotionally affected whilst working in \nmental health settings, this can relate to bearing witness to traumatic stories \nwhich can cause distress and affect their wellbeing. \nResearch Report: \nThe research aimed to understand how Polish interpreters experience their \nroles in adult mental health settings and to understand how they view the triadic \nrelationship between themselves, client and mental health professional when \ninterpreting. Six participants were recruited from interpreting services and each \ntook part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed using \nInterpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The participants’ accounts clustered \naround one superordinate theme of ‘being paid to be a machine for a human \nrole’. This was made up of three themes: ‘Just a linguist?’, ‘Unspoken alliances’ \nand ‘Communicating emotional reactions’. The findings of the current research \nemphasise the importance for clinicians, mental health and interpreting services \nto take into account the emotional impact, and disempowerment caused by \nstructural systemic factors which limit the voice of the interpreter. \nCritical Appraisal: \nFinally, the critical appraisal offers the researchers’ reflections on the research \nprocess, methodological limitations and proposals for future research.
Author: Colm Gallagher
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2225677668