Trajectories in tension: social capital, access to resources, and structural trials in Chile and Mexico

Introduction This article examines how ascribed and achieved factors influence exposure to structural trials in unequal contexts. Methods A comparative quantitative design was applied using survey data from 300 economically active individuals in Chile and Mexico, analyzed through EFA, CFA, and SEM. Results Social capital and relational supports significantly reduce both positional inconsistency and work trials, with notable cross-national differences. Discussion Findings highlight the central role of relational resources in mitigating structural fragility and contribute to understanding stratification processes in Latin America.