Health protection and promotion of sign language interpreters through implementation of Total Worker Health®

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Proposal Summary/Abstract Communication access for deaf communities promotes equity and inclusion, thus there is heightened concern regarding the many variables that impact the physical and mental health of sign language interpreters. The Model of Interpreter Injury introduced sign production and style, the interpreting situation, and the interpreter’s individual characteristics as factors associated with injury development. Trademarked by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in 2011, Total Worker Health (TWH®) combines health protection with health promotion to prevent worker injury and advance well-being, making it a promising holistic approach to address the multivariate factors of interpreter injury. Using mixed-methods and a clinical efficacy trial design, the overall objective of this study will employ implementation strategies to adapt and evaluate a previous integrated TWH® program and pilot test its efficacy on interpreter well-being. My central hypothesis is that interpreters in the health and well-being curriculum (intervention) will demonstrate significantly improved well-being compared to those in a general health program (control). The goal of Aim 1 is to adapt and tailor a previous integrated TWH® program into a health and well-being curriculum for interpreters. Group model building will be used for curriculum development during virtual listening sessions with interpreters and the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Expanded will guide documentation of the process for adapting to the context of interpreting. The goal of Aim 2 is to evaluate implementation outcomes of the curriculum via a collective post-intervention satisfaction survey. Finally, the goal of Aim 3 is to determine the efficacy of the health and well-being curriculum via the NIOSH Worker Well-being Questionnaire (WellBQ) collected pre- and immediately post-intervention, as well as, at 6- and 12-month timepoints in a parallel group randomized control trial. The contribution of the proposed research will effectively implement a health and well-being curriculum to protect and promote the occupational health of interpreters. This project is innovative because it will implement the integrated TWH® program to the contextual needs of interpreters and bring experts in the interpreting field together for the first time to deliver a combined interventional approach. This work relates to the NIOSH priority goal seven for extramural research (promote safe and healthy work design and well-being), along with goals four (reduce occupational musculoskeletal disorders) and six (improve workplace safety to reduce traumatic injuries). Evidence from this Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) will establish me as an independent occupational safety and health researcher, contribute to the body of work dedicated to TWH®, and further inform WellBQ development. I have assembled an outstanding advisory team that will provide me with the necessary training to ensure I develop expertise in three primary domains: 1) dissemination and implementation science, 2) occupational health, and 3) advanced statistics.