Project to help FIFO families

The changing nature of work life in Queensland means that working parents face a range of challenges and pressures raising their families.

The Working Parents Research Project, based at The University of Queensland’s Parenting and Family Support Centre, aims to investigate the impact fly in/fly out (FIFO) or drive-in/drive-out (DIDO) work has on children and families in Queensland.

Chief Investigator Dr Cassy Dittman said the mining boom had produced vast changes in the work arrangements of many parents, and mining lifestyles often increased parenting challenges.

“The FIFO/DIDO work life is associated with potentially stressful lifestyle disruptions, including prolonged absences for workers from their partners and children, long work hours under often difficult work conditions, and large amounts of time spent commuting between work and home,” she said.

“Despite the increasing prevalence of these work practices, very little has been done to determine the family impact of this lifestyle or to provide tailored support to these families.

Dr Dittman said information from the research project would be used to develop a parenting support program designed for FIFO/DIDO families.

“It is hoped that providing effective family support might help to buffer any adverse effects of these work practices on families,” she said.

The research team is keen to hear from any working parents with a child aged between 2 and 12 years and especially from FIFO/DIDO workers and their partners.

The first phase of the project is a 30 to 45 minute survey open to all working parents.

The second phase involves focus groups with FIFO/DIDO workers and their partners.

For more information or to take part please visit the website.

Media: Dr Cassy Dittman, email: workingparents@psy.uq.edu.au tel: (07) 3365 7303