Bienestar, felicidad y TIC: ¿Alianza productiva para el desarrollo humano?

Astrid Sofía Suárez Barros; Alfredo  Rojas Otálora

doi:10.58479/almanaque.2025.174

Authors

Astrid Sofía Suárez Barros Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia, (Colombia)
Alfredo Rojas Otálora Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia, (Colombia)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58479/almanaque.2025.174

Keywords:

well-being, happiness, technology, ITC, technological applications

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have become an essential part of human life in the 21st century, and it is necessary to examine the productive alliance that can be formed between these technologies, well-being, happiness, and human development. The main objective of this article is to analyze the contributions, challenges, and risks involved in linking studies and interventions in the field of well-being and happiness with technological tools and platforms that have the potential to impact human development. This work stems from research activities carried out by the authors, who have associated these two lines of work: happiness and well-being, and technological applications. The presentation offers a critical analysis of the relationships between Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and human happiness and well-being, through a lens that highlights key aspects for understanding different conceptions of happiness and well-being. These include perspectives from health organizations, and research approaches from psychology, sociology, and economics, all of which are connected to the technological characteristics of the current historical moment. From this conceptual analysis, the article presents an overview and trajectory of research on well-being in relation to the productivity enabled by the use and implementation of technological tools. The article concludes with a real case study illustrating the application of technology in a research and intervention process within the science of well-being.

Author Biographies

Astrid Sofía Suárez Barros, Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia, (Colombia)

She is a woman, daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, and an active member of Catholic communities and brotherhoods. Professionally, she is a Psychologist, holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Research, and is a Specialist in Family Studies. She is also a Junior Researcher recognized by Minciencias and serves as the Director of the Research Group Psychology, Emotional Development, and Education at the National Open and Distance University (UNAD). Her research focuses on educational and community contexts, particularly on well-being and life projects. She is a university professor at UNAD, affiliated with the Psychology program and the Master’s in Community Psychology. She also designs virtual learning environments, didactic materials, and resources for human development. She has worked in educational and organizational contexts as a teacher, advisor, and designer of training programs related to human development and public and private policies. She is currently an academic peer for the Ministry of Education in Colombia and a founding member of the Latin American Network on Happiness and Human Well-Being.

Alfredo Rojas Otálora, Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia, (Colombia)

Psychologist, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla. Ph.D. in Psychology – Clinical and Health Psychology Track, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla. Postgraduate studies in Psychoanalysis – Oedipus Psychoanalytic Center, Buenos Aires. Researcher and former Director of the Psychology, Emotional Development, and Education Research Group at UNAD. Associate Professor at the National Open and Distance University (UNAD) – Colombia, involved in the Psychology program, Specialization in Education, Specialization in Community Mental Health, and the Master’s in Community Psychology. CONACES Commissioner – Colombian Ministry of National Education. He has taught at universities in both Colombia and Spain. Founding researcher and promoter of the Latin American Network for the Study and Intervention in Happiness and Well-being. Private practice psychotherapist. Research interests include: Psychoaffective Development – Well-being and Happiness – Life Project – Developmental Task Model.