Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health in Caribbean Communities in Light of the Methodological Triangulation of the Classical Approach and Network Analysis

Objective: This study examines psychological well-being and mental health in Caribbean Colombian urban populations through methodological triangulation, integrating traditional statistical analysis with network analysis to develop a comprehensive understanding of protective and risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 412 participants from Barranquilla and Cartagena. Instruments included Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale, Keyes' Social Well-being Scale, Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ), family APGAR, and perceived social support scales. Data were analyzed using correlational analysis, multiple regression models, and network analysis to achieve methodological triangulation. Results: Traditional analysis revealed that social acceptance (β = -0.248), negative emotions (β = -0.268), and family crises (β = 3.272) were significant predictors, explaining 42.2% of mental health variance. Network analysis confirmed these findings through centrality measures, showing social acceptance and social coherence as central nodes. The triangulation between methods validated four integrative hypotheses: differential perceived social support, social coherence as a culturally sensitive protective factor, social support as moderator/mediator of family crises, and the autonomy paradox in collectivist contexts. Notably, the autonomy paradox hypothesis was not empirically supported; autonomy showed a neutral or slightly protective profile, indicating possible cultural adaptation in these urban settings. Conclusions: Methodological triangulation between traditional and network approaches provides robust evidence for multidimensional well-being models in Caribbean Colombian contexts. Social acceptance and family functionality emerge as central protective factors, while family crises constitute primary risk factors. The convergence between analytical methods strengthens the validity of findings and suggests the need for culturally adapted interventions that consider the specificity of collectivist urban contexts in the Colombian Caribbean.