UNDERSTANDING WORKPLACE STIGMA AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG THOSE LIVING WITH CHRONIC MIGRAINE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Although a neurological condition, the cause of migraines is poorly understood. The problem is that the factors contributing to the stress and stigma associated with chronic migraine in the construction workplace are not well known. To address this problem, this qualitative case study explored what factors contribute to the stress and stigma associated with chronic migraine in the workplace in the specific context of the construction industry. The study asked the following: (a) How do workers living with chronic migraines experience and navigate associated migraine stigma in their workplace (e.g., cultural norms and disclosure)?, (b) What do workers living with chronic migraine identify as factors that contribute to migraine symptom severity (e.g., environments, occupational, and interpersonal factors)?, and (c) How do workers living with chronic migraines cope with stigma and factors contributing to migraine severity (e.g., well-being, job performance, and quality of life)? The sample consisted of 14 workers from any occupation or role within the U.S. construction industry who have experienced chronic migraines. Data was collected through one-on-one, semi-structured interviews via Zoom. This study explored how construction workers with chronic migraines navigate workplace cultures of stigma, silence, and inconsistent support in the construction industry. Key findings included migraine’s disruption in daily life functioning, cultural norms of non-disclosure that discouraged help-seeking behaviors. Participants in this study offered visions for structural change, highlighting an urgent need for more inclusive policies, empathetic leadership, and deeper recognition for disabilities that often go unnoticed in labor environments.