Mental health and well-being concerns of fly-in fly-out workers and their partners in Australia: a qualitative study

Abstract

ObjectivesFly-in fly-out (FIFO) work involves commuting long distances to the worksite and living in provided accommodation for 1–4 weeks while on shift. While the potentially detrimental impact of FIFO work on the health and well-being of workers has been documented, little attention has been paid to how workers, or their partners, cope with this impact. This study sought to investigate how workers and their partners negotiate the impact of FIFO on their mental health and well-being.DesignThe study design was qualitative. FIFO workers and partners responded to open-ended questions on concerns about the FIFO lifestyle and the support they use.SettingAustralian FIFO workers and partners responded to the questions via email.ParticipantsParticipants were 34 FIFO workers (25 men, M age=41 years) and 26 partners of FIFO workers (26 women, M age=40 years).ResultsParticipant-validated thematic analysis generated three main themes: managing multiple roles, impact on mental health and well-being, and social support needs. Results revealed difficulties in adjusting between the responsibilities of perceptually distinct on-shift and off-shift lives, and managing potential psychological distance that develops while workers are on site. Participants emphasised the importance of maintaining quality communication and support from family members. Workers and partners attempted to maintain mental health and well-being by regularly engaging with support networks, although many felt organisational support was tokenistic, stigmatised or lacking.ConclusionsRecommendations for enhancing support provided by FIFO organisations are offered. In particular, organisations should emphasise the importance of good mental health and well-being, maintain transparency regarding potential challenges of FIFO lifestyles, and offer professional support for managing multiple social roles and effective communication.

Comparing the Effects of FIFO/DIDO Workers Being Home versus Away on Sleep and Loneliness for Partners of Australian Mining Workers

“…When compared to normative data of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale [28], most FIFO/DIDO partners experience moderate to extreme loneliness across the FIFO/DIDO roster. The findings support current literature where feelings of loneliness have been commonly reported by FIFO/DIDO partners [9,16,17]. The results indicate that FIFO/DIDO partners' loneliness was greater when the worker was away compared to when the worker was at home.…”

“…In addition to sleep being a shared behaviour (i.e., influenced by the presence or absence of the FIFO/DIDO worker), it is also considered to be gendered, suggesting that women are more likely to be impacted by environmental and relationship stresses [45][46][47]. Current research has shown that FIFO/DIDO partners experience increased burdens of day-to-day decision making and difficulties transitioning from sole parenting to co-parenting across the FIFO/DIDO shifts [9,16].…”

“…In addition, some FIFO/DIDO workers report difficulties forming and maintaining long-term relationships, finding time to get things done at home, and fulfilling family responsibilities [8]. Physical and psychological distance is a reported source of tension for FIFO/DIDO workers who report often missing family events and feeling a sense of disconnect with their partners [9]. Importantly, the impacts of FIFO/DIDO arrangements on work and family life have been reported not only by the worker, but also by the worker's partner [9,10].One key impact is disturbances to sleep [8].Inadequate sleep (e.g., short sleep duration, poor sleep quality) is linked with adverse physical and psychological outcomes including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, memory impairment, and depression [11][12][13].…”

“…A second study reported that partners experience similar levels of fatigue as the worker across the FIFO/DIDO roster and found partners' fatigue and depression were worst during the middle of shift times when the worker was away [15].Psychological distress in mining workers has been found to be higher than the average Australian day worker [7]. Further, both FIFO/DIDO workers and their partners have reported feelings of isolation, loneliness, and tiredness [9,16,17]. Loneliness has been linked to increased rates of cognitive decline, which is associated with increased blood pressure and can affect everyday life, including sleep [18,19].…”

“…In addition, some FIFO/DIDO workers report difficulties forming and maintaining long-term relationships, finding time to get things done at home, and fulfilling family responsibilities [8]. Physical and psychological distance is a reported source of tension for FIFO/DIDO workers who report often missing family events and feeling a sense of disconnect with their partners [9]. Importantly, the impacts of FIFO/DIDO arrangements on work and family life have been reported not only by the worker, but also by the worker's partner [9,10].…”