Partner perils associated with FIFO life

Partners of fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers have higher levels of emotional problems than other parents in the community, and are at a greater risk of using harsh discipline with their children, University of Queensland research suggests. School of Psychology's Parenting and Family Support Centre researcher Dr Cassandra Dittman said a UQ survey showed FIFO partners were more depressed, stressed and anxious than parents from the general community. "FIFO partners in our survey had higher levels of emotional problems than other parents and they told us they were more likely to use harsh discipline with their children,'' Dr Dittman said. "When FIFO at-home partners had more emotional problems, they were also more likely to have children with behaviour or emotional problems. "The level of emotional difficulties the partner at home was experiencing also affected the relationship quality of the family as a whole. "We already know that parents who are depressed and stressed find it far more difficult to parent well and to respond calmly to their children's behaviour. "The fact that at-home FIFO partners are more likely to be depressed, stressed and anxious is concerning, particularly because of the flow-on effects to their children.'' The study found that FIFO workers reported greater work-to-family conflict and alcohol use than parents who worked near home.