Orientation to Happiness and Depression: A Comparative Study between Salvadoran and Mexican Professors

Abstract

The orientation to happiness is an interesting and fairly new topic in science in comparison to the study of psychopathology. For decades, the latter has been mostly dedicated to researching about the symptoms and effects in mental health, rather than to investing time to learn how people can achieve a state of happiness. This article addresses two topics of great relevance: the orientation to happiness, and the symptoms of depression in university professors. A total of 90 professors were sampled: 52 from El Salvador and 38 from Mexico. This is an exploratory study with retrospective and cross sectional designs. A non-probabilistic intentional sampling was used; the sample included a total of 41 women (45,6 %) and 49 men (54,4 %). The overall mean age was 46.58 years, with a standard deviation of 11.8. The results indicated that professors in El Salvador and Mexico are more oriented to flow and eudaimonic well-being. Also, the presence of depression-realated symptoms was found in low percentages ranging between 5.3 and 28.9 %. Finally, it was found that there is no difference between the two countries. In conclusion, university professors are mostly oriented towards happiness.

Revista Entorno No. 75 2023: 40-51