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

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $37,461

## 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 organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Randi McArthur
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $37,461
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-15 → 2026-08-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10998724

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10998724, Exploring Work Accommodations for Low-Wage Workers with Chronic Pain-Related Conditions: A Multi-Level Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Study (1F31NR021349-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10998724. Licensed CC0.

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