RESEARCH QUESTIONThe research question under investigation is: “How does having an offshore profession have- Does it have an impact on family dynamics? » Offshore occupation has a detrimental impact on family dynamics, particularly in relation to the spouse and their children. BACKGROUND There appears to be a gap in the literature regarding adaptations to families while the male figure is absent for weeks, despite major changes occurring throughout the industry. However, Parkes et al (2005) examined the perceptions, attitudes and concerns of spouses of offshore workers from a psychological perspective. The results showed that spouses have a number of concerns related to the overseas lifestyle and the impact it has on their children. However, the main concern was not related to the absence of their partner but to the period of return home. Another study by Taylor and Simmonds (2009) looked at 'Family stress and coping during air travel (FIFO) workforce.' Their results revealed that the FIFO lifestyle involved higher demands to survive under this lifestyle than other “normal” families. This high family functioning was strongly associated with healthy family cohesion and flexibility. Finally, through active communication, families are able to respond effectively to change and stress. METHODThe current study will be conducted using the focus group method. This was deemed appropriate for the research because focus groups are a distinctive and practical method for collecting qualitative data. They explicitly use group interaction as part of the method. It encourages participants to be active and exchange their knowledge and ...... middle of article ......103-121.LITOSSELITI, L., 2003. Using focus groups in research. Continuum.MORSE, JM, 1994. Critical issues in qualitative research methods. Sage.PARKES, KR, CARNELL, SC and FARMER, EL, 2005. “LIVING TWO LIVES” Perceptions, attitudes and experiences of spouses of UK offshore workers. Community, Work and Family, 8(4), pp. 413-437. TAYLOR, J. and SIMMONDS, J., 2009. Family stress and coping in the airborne workforce. The Australian Community Psychologist, 21(2), pp. 23-36.TEDDLIE, C. and YU, F., 2007. Mixed methods sampling a typology with examples. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(1), pp. 77-100.THE BRITSH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 2009. Code of Ethics and Conduct. [online] Leicester, United Kingdom: The British Psychological Society. Available at: http://www.bps.org.uk/system/files/documents/code_of_ethics_and_conduct.pdf [Accessed April 17 2014].