Symposium: Intersectional inequalities in youth mental health: using existing data from longitudinal population studies to investigate social inequalities from an intersectional perspective
Intersectional inequalities in adolescents’ psychological distress: Integrative Data Analysis of UK population-based studies (Thomas Steare, UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies)
Inequalities in adolescents’ mental health across sociodemographic factors are widely observed but are typically investigated independently. According to intersectionality theory, different systems of oppression are interrelated and produce mental health inequalities across multiple overlapping social identities. Methodological advances have enabled more accurate mapping of intersectional inequalities; however, studies are often underpowered to examine multiple intersections, particularly among minoritised groups. This study will pool data from UK longitudinal population studies, including COSMO, Next Steps and Understanding Society. The anticipated sample size is approximately 40,000 adolescents aged 17-18. We will use Intersectional Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (I-MAIHDA) and decision tree ensemble models to identify groups of young people, defined by multiple social identities, with heightened or low levels of psychological distress.
An intersectional analysis of consent to administrative health record linkage among young people in England (Laura Havers, ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London)
Linkage between population studies and NHS records offers important opportunities to study inequalities in health and healthcare use. However, consent to linkage may be subject to social-structural selection processes. While previous research has examined predictors of consent, little is known about how selection varies across combinations of social characteristics (e.g., sex/gender and ethnicity). This study examines intersectional variation in consent to NHS record linkage among young people in Next Steps, the Millennium Cohort Study, and Understanding Society. Intersectional Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (I-MAIHDA), with individuals nested in intersectional strata, will be used to characterise how consent varies across intersectional groups. Implications for research using linked population datasets, including how these results may inform the derivation of inverse-probability weights for subsequent analyses, will be critically discussed.
Intersectional inequalities in youth mental health measurement and outcomes: evidence from age 23 sweep of the Millennium Cohort Study (Darío Moreno-Agostino, UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies)
Even when intersectional complexity is acknowledged in quantitative research, potential systematic differences in measurement across intersectional strata are rarely investigated. Using data from the most recent sweep (age 23, 2023-24) of the Millennium Cohort Study, we will use a measurement invariance/equivalence testing method suitable for comparisons across many groups, the alignment method, to investigate whether psychological distress (Kessler-6), wellbeing (SWEMWBS), and self-harm outcomes are equivalently measured across intersectional positions/strata defined by gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. We will then use Intersectional Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (I-MAIHDA) to investigate inequalities across these intersectional positions/strata in the outcomes, informing the interpretation with the results from the measurement invariance/equivalence testing.
Embedding lived experience in research using existing data: reflections and challenges (Usayd Abid, Yusra Nawaz, & Hemlata Pant, ‘Making the margins visible’ YPAG)
Involving young people from diverse intersectional positions with lived experience of mental ill-health and/or social discrimination in research on intersectional inequalities in youth mental health research is extremely valuable. Among other reasons, their involvement can help to identify research priorities, promote more equitable and inclusive practices by including voices and perspectives that may otherwise not typically be heard, and improve the relevance and quality of the research by grounding it in real-world perspectives. All presentations in this symposium will be co-presented by a member of the “Making the margins visible” – Intersectional Inequalities Young People Advisory Group (YPAG), showcasing the value of their involvement in shaping this research, as well as challenges that arise when using existing data.
