Health at the Crossroads: Examining the Intersection of Lone Parenthood, Gender, and Migration on Self-Reported Health in England and Wales

Abstract: Integrating intersectionality theory with a quantitative design, this analysis investigates the intersectional dynamics of self-reported health inequalities among lone parents in England and Wales. This study examines the association between lone parenthood, gender, and migrant status simultaneously on health outcomes. It applies logistic regression using data from the 2011 Census Microdata Individual Safeguarded dataset. The findings demonstrate the presence of multiple identity factors that contribute to health inequality, which consequently highlights the impact of cumulative socioeconomic privilege and disadvantage, impacting the health of lone parents. Regardless of gender or migration status, being a lone parent has a negative effect on health. The healthy migrant effect is evident across intersected categories of migrants and socioeconomic groups, particularly among men, partnered parents, and immigrants from Western societies. These results emphasize the significance of considering additional dimensions of social positioning and adopting an intersectional perspective in monitoring health inequalities in the country.