The mental health of fly-in fly-out workers before and during COVID-19: a comparison study

Abstract

Objectives: This study gives an overview of the impact of FIFO work on workers’ mental health before and during COVID-19, using three comparison samples as well as norm data. It provides a timely update on FIFO workers' mental health and how it has been impacted during COVID-19. Method: Comparisons are conducted with three participant samples, namely two FIFO worker samples (one before and one during the Covid pandemic) and a purposefully sampled benchmark sample, and Australian population norm data on mental health. Constructs included in surveys were psychological distress, burnout, suicide intention, as well as social, psychological, and emotional wellbeing. Results: FIFO workers were found to have worse mental health than the matched benchmark sample, and the Australian norm samples pre-COVID-19. Differences between FIFO workers and the matched benchmark sample persisted for psychological distress and burnout after controlling for demographic factors. Mental ill-health and poor well-being were higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than before. Conclusions: FIFO workers need to be considered an at-risk group for adverse mental health outcomes, and this is even more so the case during COVID-19. Findings are attributable to the experience of FIFO work as well as the demographic character of the workforce.