Exploring Work Accommodations for Low-Wage Workers with Chronic Pain-Related Conditions: A Multi-Level Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Study

NIH RePORTER · NIH · F31 · $37,461 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract Chronic conditions pose a disproportionate burden on low-wage workers, exacerbating the adversity and health inequities of this population. Chronic pain-related conditions contribute to disability and work limitations. Work accommodations, which enable individuals with disabilities to perform job duties, have the potential to mitigate these limitations and disabilities. However, a significant percentage of workers in the United States, particularly low-wage workers who face additional barriers, do not receive work accommodations. Lack of accommodations denies potential benefits to both employees and employers. Despite the prevalence of chronic pain-related conditions among low-wage workers, little research has explored the utility of work accommodations for advancing health equity in this population. This study aims to address this gap using explanatory sequential mixed-methods research. The first phase includes quantitatively examining the use of work accommodations by frequency and type and also assessing the extent to which employer-level factors moderate workers receiving work accommodations. The second phase will be to qualitatively explore the experiences of low-wage workers with chronic pain-related conditions and their process of receiving work accommodations. The third and final phase is to integrate the quantitative and qualitative data, using the qualitative results to inform interpretation of the quantitative findings. By shedding light on work accommodations for low-wage workers with chronic pain-related conditions, this study will inform future policies and promote workplace health and equity. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by this vulnerable population and guide interventions to improve workplace well-being. This project is critical for developing the applicant’s skills in designing, conducting, and analyzing mixed-method study designs as well as quantitative data, and qualitative data. This study will further her goal of being an independent researcher with the focus of reducing workplace inequities and identifying impactful strategies to positively affect health and quality of life by addressing the conditions in which people work.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10998724
Project number
1F31NR021349-01
Recipient
UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
Principal Investigator
Randi McArthur
Activity code
F31
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$37,461
Award type
1
Project period
2024-08-15 → 2026-08-14