[Perception of happiness associated to family life in Bogotá- Colombia]

To demonstrate the association between happiness and family functionality in order to promote healthy family relationships and the biopsychosocial health of the people.

Cross-sectional, descriptive study developed over a span of three years. A questionnaire was applied to 8 885 people from Bogotá selected by convenience sampling. The population was divided into those who said they were happy and those who said they felt sad at the time of the survey. Explanatory variables included sex, age, socioeconomic status, functionality (based on the family APGAR), family structure (members of the household), and support network. Odds ratios were obtained and the significant results were subjected to the regression process.

The logistic regression analysis of the odds ratios showed that the perception of happiness decreases with age (60 and over vs. 7 to 10 years; OR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03-0.26), that there is a stronger significant association with functionality (severe dysfunction vs. normal functionality; OR: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.03-0.08) than with family structure (extended vs. nuclear home; OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37-0.96), and that happiness is related to support networks (low network vs. high network; OR: 0.52 95% CI: 0.31-0.88).

This research confirms the importance of the family in happiness perception, which is a sentiment considered as a health benchmark. Based on these results, strengthening family coexistence is essential to promote the health of people.