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. Key Points What is already known about this topic: (1) Research findings on FIFO workers' mental health are mixed. (2) A comprehensive comparison of FIFO worker mental health with the wider Australian population on a range of mental health indicators is needed to provide clarity on this issue. (3) Impacts of COVID-19 on FIFO worker mental health have been anecdotally reported but have to date not been empirically tested. What this topic adds: (1) This study shows that FIFO workers had worse mental health compared to non-FIFO workers before COVID-19 in 2018. (2) It documents differences in FIFO workers’ mental health before (2018) and during Covid (2020). (3) The study’s findings clearly identify FIFO workers as an at-risk group for mental health.