EVALUATION OF SOCIAL VULNERABILITY IN THE IBERO-AMERICAN CONTEXT: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Major socioeconomic changes between the Great Recession and the Great Pandemic have increased the number of families being in a vulnerable situation and at risk of social exclusion. In this article, we critically review the literature seeking the key factors associated with vulnerability. In addition, we analyse social vulnerability assessment tools that have been developed in the Ibero-American context in the last fifteen years. Our literature research reveals that social vulnerability is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon due to external and internal factors affecting families. The analysis highlights a shortage of standardised instruments to conduct diagnosis or social assessment in this context. Moreover, we verify that there is no consensus in the evaluation method of this phenomenon. Most of the existing instruments analyse health, housing, education, economy, labour, and relational sphere. Based on this study, we conclude it is necessary to develop standardised tools that enable the assessment of family social vulnerability in socio-educational programmes. This tools would result into greater rigour and equity in the accompaniment of socio-educational actions and would enable systematic evaluation of their impact on families and communities.