Survival strategies in contexts of poverty. An approach from a literature review

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the ways in which people face the phenomenon of poverty. A methodology that combines the rigorous principles of a systematic literature review with qualitative analytical techniques based on content analysis was used. In addition to analyzing some background information on the topic, academic articles published between 2011 and 2023 in journals included in the SAGE Journals and Web of Science databases were searched, selected and analyzed. The results reveal that as people try to satisfy or satisfy their basic needs, they cause or generate other problems that are not always of immediate concern to them. Survival strategies are in constant movement and are a substantial part of the operating economic system, so they are not isolated actions that are invariably perpetuated. They place people in various scenarios linked by problems that present them with constant challenges and, although they manage to mitigate difficulties of access to resources, it is difficult for them to lead to a full and free way of life.