Intersectionality describes how people’s social identities or positions combine to shape their life experiences. This study tested methods for conducting intersectional analysis, using research data from Born in Bradford’s Better Start (BiBBS) to understand factors that influenced whether women took part in pregnancy and parenting projects.
Data were analysed using five statistical techniques, to test their ability to show how multiple factors worked together to affect participation. Migrant status, ethnicity and English language related to whether women participated in the projects. The ‘Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy’ (MAIHDA) statistical method was most effective in highlighting this.
This study advanced knowledge of quantitative techniques for intersectional analysis and delivered insights into engagement with early years projects. It also highlighted challenges in doing justice to intersectionality theory in statistical data analysis and suggested some flexible and practical approaches for the future.