[The prevalence of happiness in life-cycles and regarding support networks in the Colombian population].

OBJECTIVE Assessing the relationship between happiness and social support networks in Colombia. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out on 7,335 people living in an urban area (Bogotá) and a rural area (Ubaté) who had been stratified by age, economic status and last year of schooling. A questionnaire asked about the people's perception of their current mood and how they received support when they had problems. RESULTS Average age was 31; 31 % perceived that they were happy. God provided the greatest support (91 % prevalence), followed by oneself (77 %), a friend (60 %), mother (57 %) and a brother/sister (50 %). The greater the support network, the greater the amount of perceived happiness (66 OR; 5-9 95%CI). CONCLUSIONS A strong relationship between happiness and social support networks promotes people's well being.