A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF WORK VALUES AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BY MONIQUE J. CHAMPAGNE, B.A. DENTON, TEXAS MAY 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to gratefully acknowledge those who have supported me throughout this thesis project. First I would like to thank my thesis advisor, Dr. Jeff Harris, who introduced me to the field of counseling, encouraged me to stay true to myself, and guided me towards pursuing my passions, including exploring the work of sign language interpreters through psychological research. I would like to thank all my committee members for taking this qualitative journey with me, Drs. Sally Stabb and Linda Rubin in particular, for investing in my development as a professional counselor and a researcher. I am especially grateful for my education at Texas Woman’s University which allowed me the space to blossom both personally and professionally. I would like to express my gratitude to the participants who took the time to share their experiences with me. It was a deeply inspirational and humbling experience to hear their stories. My deepest gratitude goes to my family for their countless hours of encouragement. For their generous guidance, I thank my grandparents, Nancy and Bob Parrish, who have always remained voices of reassurance when the path seemed long. I would also like to thank my dearest friends and colleagues for their invaluable support and feedback, particularly Robin Nevin, Anna Gonzalez, Megan Coffelt, and Rose McKinney. I am grateful for my mother and step-father, Deb and Michael DeJacimo, and my partner, Luis Olivas, for their continual compassion and support. I would like to express my appreciation for my daughter, Naomi, for being loving and patient throughout this journey. My hope is to reciprocate the inspiration she has been to me. iii ABSTRACT MONIQUE CHAMPAGNE A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF WORK VALUES AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS MAY 2017 The aim of this study was to explore the impact of work values on job satisfaction among sign language interpreters due to an increased risk of burnout. A phenomenological approach was utilized to understand the experiences of nine participants through semi-structured interviews. Results revealed six themes: (1) Autonomy, (2) Altruism, (3) Relationships, (4) Achievement, (5) Safety-Comfort, and (6) Status. Empowerment was found to be encompassed within the themes of Altruism and Relationships. Results of this study were consistent with the Theory of Work Adjustment and Demand-Control Theory and were largely consistent with previous work values research. These results point to the importance of balancing autonomy in the workplace, achievement over time, and giving back to the community. Participants provided descriptions of the uniqueness of sign language interpreters’ work lives that can be used to support greater job satisfaction for these professionals who support the deaf people they serve and empower. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEGEMENTS ................................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ iv LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................1 Job Satisfaction in Related Fields ..............................................................................3 Work Values ..............................................................................................................4 Empowerment ...........................................................................................................5 Qualitative Inquiry ....................................................................................................6 Purpose and Research Questions ...............................................................................6 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ...........................................................................................9 Demographics ...........................................................................................................11 The Work of Interpreters ..........................................................................................12 Sign Language Interpreters and Job Satisfaction ........................................12 Sign Language Interpreters, Burnout, and Vicarious Trauma ......................13 Foreign Language Interpreters and Job Satisfaction ...............................................16 Work Values and Job Satisfaction ...........................................................................17 Work Values and Job Satisfaction in Helping Professions .....................................20 Empowerment as an Emerging Work Value ...........................................................24 Research Questions .................................................................................................26 III. METHOD ......................................................................................................................27 Researcher Qualifications .......................................................................................27 Researcher Biases ...................................................................................................28 Predictions ..............................................................................................................29 Data Collection .......................................................................................................30 Participants .............................................................................................................30 Instrumentation .................................................................................................................30 Pre-Screening and Interview Guide .......................................................................30 Semi-Structured Interview .....................................................................................31 v Procedure .................................................................................................................32 Data Analysis ..........................................................................................................34 Phenomenological Approach ......................................................................34 Collecting and Reading Data .......................................................................36 Breaking Down Data ..............................................................................................36 Organizing and Synthesizing Data ........................................................................37 Triangulation ..........................................................................................................38 IV. RESULTS .....................................................................................................................41 Participant Information ............................................................................................41 Impact of Values of Job Satisfaction .......................................................................42 Analysis of Results ..................................................................................................43 Theme 1: Autonomy ................................................................................................46 1.1 Decision-Making and Personal Control ................................................46 1.2 Independence ........................................................................................48 1.3 Creativity...............................................................................................50 1.4 Taking Responsibility ...........................................................................51 Summary of Theme 1..................................................................................52 Theme 2: Altruism ...................................................................................................53 2.1 Fostering Harmony ...............................................................................53 2.2 Serving the Deaf Community ...............................................................56 2.3 Empowering Deaf Clients .....................................................................58 2.4 Serving Other Interpreters.....................................................................62 Summary of Theme 2..................................................................................63 Theme 3: Relationships...........................................................................................64 3.1 Relationships Within the Interpreting Community ...............................65 3.2 Being Empowered by Peers and Supervisors .......................................69 3.3 Relationships with Clients ....................................................................70 3.4 Other Roles ...........................................................................................73 Summary of Theme 3..................................................................................75