Conceptions of rural in Latin American Psychology: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Some challenges have permeated the approach of Latin American Psychology to rural contexts, such as theoretical gaps regarding the rural category. Thus, this article discussed the conceptions used by Latin American Psychology to define rural, based on its scientific production. To search for scientific articles that dealt with this theme, we used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) as a guide. Thus, the term “Psychology” and the Boolean descriptor and for the terms “rural area” and “rural population” were used, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, and in the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Redalyc, Scielo, PEPSIC e LILACS. Narrative, systematic and meta-analysis reviews were excluded and empirical studies on the topic, written by psychologists in Latin American countries, were included, reaching a total of 89 articles. The results show a predominance of conceptions of physical-geographical sense. Despite this, an effort was identified to present and discuss the specifics of rural contexts. In this way, the importance of problematizing theoretical aspects about the concept of rural is emphasized, understanding that it is not just a place, but a category of theoretical reflection.