The Well-Being Paradox in Latin America: What Should Be Protected and What Can Be Learned

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As primals world beliefs researcher Jer Clifton once said during his Research Methods and Evaluations class, most research begins with an observation and a question. Without realizing it, my capstone project for the University of Pennsylvania Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) started with some observations that evolved into questions a few years before I officially began the program.

I am a Latin American woman, born and raised in beautiful Colombia, and I have called Mexico my home for nine years now. While working as a high school counselor at an American school in Bogotá, Colombia, I noticed how my U.S. or Canadian colleagues were often surprised by the way Colombians greeted each other daily with a kiss on the cheek or a hug and how frequently we exchanged greetings in the hallways or elsewhere. Additionally, during my travels to the United States or Europe, whether for tourism, academic conferences, or work, I consistently observed how easily Latin Americans bonded and connected. It seemed that whenever we were outside our countries, we were drawn to each other like magnets. These observations, among others, led me to ask the question: Do Latin Americans have a special way of relating?

Fast forward several years, and I was faced with deciding what to do for my capstone project. My decision: I wanted to explore what has been called the well-being paradox in Latin America and why self-report measures in the region consistently indicate higher-than-predicted levels of subjective well-being, despite various societal, economic, and political challenges (e.g., Adler & Seligman, 2016; Beytía, 2016; Helliwell, 2012; Helliwell, 2015, Helliwel, 2018; Rojas, 2018, Helliwell, 2024). These challenges are well-documented and widely exposed through the media. However, limited attention has been given to understanding the protective factors that contribute to Latin Americans' well-being. Well-being in the region is understood and experienced in ways that are unique to its culture, giving rise to practices that not only sustain but also enhance life satisfaction amidst challenges.

Well-being in Latin America: What did I find?

While certain factors contribute to well-being universally, there are also notable cultural variations. Cultural values and practices significantly influence well-being across diverse contexts. The Latin American region encompasses a variety of countries including Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico. These nations often grapple with socio-political and economic challenges such as lower GDP per capita compared to Western Europe or the United States, weak political institutions, high levels of corruption, poverty, inequality, and elevated rates of violence and crime (Rojas, 2018; World Bank, 2021).

Despite these challenges, well-being in Latin America is not solely dependent on income. Although research has shown there’s a general correlation between higher income and greater well-being, this relationship is complex and influenced by various factors (Adler & Seligman, 2016; Easterlin, 2013; Easterlin, 2020). Thus, a more nuanced understanding is necessary. The well-being paradox in Latin America serves as a compelling example that there is more to a good life than financial status. This phenomenon invites an exploration of other significant drivers of happiness in the region, offering valuable lessons about the unique factors that contribute to well-being beyond economic measures (Rojas, 2018).

One important resource that helps us understand this paradox is the World Happiness Report (WHR). The WHR is a public and comprehensive publication of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, powered by Gallup World Poll data. Since 2013, the report has used global survey data to report how people in more than 150 countries evaluate their lives (Helliwell et al., 2022). Overall, the WHR is a vital resource for understanding and analyzing well-being in Latin America within the broader global context. The WHR measures subjective well-being (SWB), which is a prominent way of conceptualizing and measuring well-being. The WHR’s measurements rely on three SWB indicators: life evaluations (a broad assessment of life as a whole), positive affect, and negative affect.

Life satisfaction levels in Latin America tend to be surprisingly high given the challenges these countries face (Adler & Seligman, 2016; Beytía, 2016; Helliwell et al., 2012; Rojas, 2016; Rojas, 2018). Some Latin American countries enjoy levels of life satisfaction comparable to developed nations (Adler & Seligman, 2016). For instance, Costa Rica, which in this year’s report occupies the 12th place, has a life satisfaction average of 6.9, similar to Austria and Canada. Mexico and Uruguay, with an average of 6.6, have the same score as France. Moreover, El Salvador, Chile, Panamá, Brazil, and Nicaragua share similar scores with Spain, Italy, and Poland (Helliwell et al., 2024). This is a tendency that has remained stable over the last several years’ reports.

The WHR also pays close attention to the experience of daily positive and negative emotions. Positive affect results from the individual’s experience of laughter, enjoyment, and interest. On the other hand, negative affect is evaluated based on the individual’s experience of worry, sadness, and anger (Helliwell et al., 2023).

One major finding is that the experience of positive affect is remarkably high in Latin America; happiness trends from 2006 to 2021 show consistency in the experience of positive emotions (Gallup, 2023; Helliwell et al; 2012; Helliwell et al., 2022; Rojas, 2018). Usually, countries in the region appear in the top positions when rankings are created based on the experiences of positive affect. As shown in Table 1 below, which summarizes positive affect measures in countries over a ten-year period, 10 out of the 15 countries—Paraguay, Panama, Costa Rica, Venezuela, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Nicaragua—with the highest scores in positive affect are from Latin America (Clifton, 2012; Gallup, 2023; Rojas, 2018).

Table 1: Top 15 Countries in the World in Positive Affect. Mean values of Positive and Negative Affect by Country, 2006–2016 (Rojas, 2018).

Although not as extensive, some research suggests another potential driver of well-being in the region is that people in Latin America exhibit significant levels of optimism. This evidence is based on research conducted in Mexico and Uruguay, and according to Bericat and Acosta (2021), these observations could potentially be extrapolated to Latin America as a whole. Their research shows that compared to samples in Spain and other European countries, Uruguayans and Mexicans exhibit particularly high levels of pride (feeling good about themselves) and optimism about the future (Bericat & Acosta, 2021).

Individuals in Latin America tend to view life experiences in a positive and optimistic manner because they value positive affect and having a positive approach to life (Diener et al., 2009). In a sample of 7,167 college students from 41 countries, evaluations of broad and specific domains of life were assessed. Examples include satisfaction with education (broad) versus satisfaction with professors, lectures, and textbooks (specific), and satisfaction with oneself (broad) versus satisfaction with grades and health (specific). Evidence suggests that Latin American countries have a propensity to evaluate most global domains positively, indicating a cultural norm of perceiving general aspects of life as good (Diener et al., 2009). Better exploring the cultural practices that facilitate these trends would be a valuable endeavor to enhance our understanding of the so-called Latin American paradox of happiness.

How can we better understand these findings?

A deeper exploration into these findings reveals that the abundance of close and intimate interpersonal relationships, along with their importance in Latin America, can be considered essential contributors to the experience of high positive affect. The discussion surrounding the apparent paradox of Latin Americans reporting high levels of well-being despite socio-economic and political problems raises questions of contradiction. However, this paradox is unfounded. Socio-economic and political challenges in the region do impact Latin Americans’ well-being: life satisfaction declines with perceptions of corruption, economic struggles, and exposure to violence. Nevertheless, these challenges are not enough to have a major impact on happiness in the region as a whole (Rojas, 2018).

Individuals highly value interpersonal relationships and spend significant time and resources nurturing them. The family—both nuclear and extended—plays a key role in Latin American societies. The importance of relationships extends to friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Human relations are mainly a source of positive affect and purpose in life (Beytia, 2016; Rojas, 2018). The abundance and quality of close and warm interpersonal relationships enable individuals to experience high positive affect and satisfaction in domains of life that are highly valued, such as social and family aspects (Beytia, 2016; Rojas, 2018). Interpersonal relationships in Latin America tend to have a particular approach and are guided by expectations of closeness, warmth, and enjoyment. Latin America’s social fabric promotes and nurtures some of the drivers of well-being.

Reflections That Have Emerged This Year

A year after submitting my capstone, new reflections and questions have come up for me. Do Latin American people recognize the cultural dynamics around interpersonal relationships as a strength, or do we take it for granted? Considering the loneliness epidemic so prevalent in the U.S. and European countries, could this cultural characteristic serve as a protective factor to prevent it from becoming a bigger issue in Latin American countries as well? Additionally, should we be more proactive in promoting these aspects as collective strengths and resources? Reflecting on the comprehensive analysis of well-being across various age ranges in the 2024 World Happiness Report, I also consider whether we need to better equip our youth with resources that strengthen this cultural aspect and shield our societies from the damages of loneliness.

I am aware these trends can change and evolve. In fact, evidence shows this has been the case. There have been changes in subjective well-being scores in various countries throughout the years. It is necessary not to underestimate the impact of societal and political circumstances on individuals’ life evaluations. I recently attended a Positive Psychology Congress in Mexico City and learned that, according to the World Values Survey, although it is evident that family is strongly correlated with happiness across different nations, in Mexico there have been some changes in the values associated with it. Data has shown that although family is still central to society, other aspects are gaining importance (A. Moreno, personal communication, April 12, 2024).

This makes me reflect on the question posed in the title of this article regarding what we need to protect. I do believe that although we need to evolve, cultivate openness and prioritize economic and technological advancement, the empirical evidence supports the need to also protect and promote the importance of interpersonal relationships in Latin American societies. Maintaining strong interpersonal connections is not just beneficial but essential as we navigate through modernization and societal changes.

Why I Think This Is Important for Non-Latin American Readers

1. Understanding the Growing Latin American Population. Latin American migration is increasing, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting that Hispanics will account for 1 out of every 5 workers in the U.S. by 2030 (Dubina, 2021). This trend holds significant social, political, and economic implications for the United States and other countries experiencing similar transformations. If you are a professional working in an organization, school, or public entity, being aware of these idiosyncratic elements of Latin American culture can help you better understand these individuals, include elements that support them in your institutions, guide policies that do the same, and ultimately open pathways for inclusion.

2. Leveraging Positive Emotional Impact. Research has shown that emotional states can be transferred from one individual to another through bodily actions and facial expressions, leading to the formation of clusters of happy and unhappy people. This emotional contagion can occur even between strangers (Coviello et al., 2014). Therefore, Latin Americans who migrate could potentially spread positive emotions through their social networks. Their high levels of positive emotions, learned cultural values, and practices may be viewed as positive additions and influences to the societies and cultures they integrate into. This perspective highlights the importance of fostering more diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities in countries with high migration rates. It also recognizes Latin Americans' contributions as equally important as those brought by people from developed countries.

3. Optimizing Coaching and Therapy. If you are a coach or therapist, you know the elements of positive relationships, positive affect, and optimism are fundamental components to explore in a therapeutic or coaching process. These elements are commonly sought after by individuals who seek professional guidance and are potent factors that can improve people’s well-being. Being aware of the Latin American case provides an opportunity to understand some of the unique factors that contribute to individuals’ well-being in this culture, thereby enhancing your potential to support clients on their personal growth journeys.

4. Developing Cultural Sensitivity. In a globalized world, where migration and global mobility are increasingly common, developing cultural sensitivity is an asset that can greatly contribute to coaches and therapists in better supporting their clients. To facilitate this process, I propose a simple framework called ‘PRO,’ which stands for Positive Emotions, Relationships, and Optimism. The ‘PRO’ framework can serve as a support tool, providing relevant information about the unique features of these three elements in Latin American culture. For example, it could explain the characteristics and dynamics of relationships such as the importance of warmth, physical contact, close ties with extended family members, the typical age when young people leave their families, and common communication dynamics among family members and friends. Additionally, it could delve into common social dynamics and cultural nuances related to aspects like what being supportive means in the Latin American context. Furthermore, it could emphasize the important role of social relationships as pathways for enhancing positive affect. By understanding the ‘PRO’ framework, positive psychology practitioners can foster a dialogue between research-based interventions and how these can be integrated with cultural specificities. This approach could allow professionals to offer interventions that better meet the needs of Latin American clients and support them in ways that resonate with their cultural background.

The enduring well-being paradox in Latin America not only challenges our understanding of well-being but also highlights the profound impact of cultural dynamics on how it is experienced. As we continue to explore these complexities, it becomes increasingly clear that fostering and preserving interpersonal relationships is crucial, not just within the region but as a global lesson in nurturing well-being amid challenges. Moving forward, embracing these insights will be key to shaping policies and practices that honor the rich tapestry of human connections and the diverse pathways to well-being.

References

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Bericat, E., & Acosta, M. J. (2021). The Latin American paradox of happiness. Theoretical and methodological considerations. Revista Mexicana de Sociología, 83(3), 709–743.

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About the author | Mariangela Rodriguez (C’23) is Colombian and currently lives in Mexico City. She holds a major in Psychology, a graduate degree in Systemic Therapy, and a Master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania.

She divides her time between her two most important projects: her sons Juan Pedro and Mateo and her independent professional practice. She is passionate about working with individuals through coaching processes and promoting Positive Psychology tools and practices. She aims to bring high-quality Positive Psychology content to the Latin American context, striving to lead by example in her own life by practicing what she teaches to others.

She enjoys reading, meditation, exploring the city, and good food. She finds joy in listening to music, dancing, spending time in nature, and mountain biking.

Email her at mariangelabadel@gmail.com