Quality of Life of the Paraguayan Researcher

Scientific research is a fundamental pillar for the advancement of knowledge, innovation, and the resolution of societal challenges. This study analyzed the quality of life of Paraguayan researchers across social well-being, economic and material well-being, development and scientific productivity, and emotional dimensions. A convergent mixed-methods study was conducted with 60 social science researchers categorized within Paraguay’s National System of Researchers. Descriptive analyses were complemented by Pearson correlations between quality-of-life dimensions (with Spearman’s ρ as a sensitivity analysis) and Kruskal–Wallis tests to examine differences according to sex, with epsilon-squared (ε2) as an effect-size measure. Social well-being was positively associated with economic well-being (r = 0.309, p = 0.016) and, more strongly, with development and productivity (r = 0.628, p < 0.001), and negatively associated with negative emotional impact (r = −0.382, p = 0.003). Development and productivity were also negatively associated with negative emotional impact (r = −0.386, p = 0.002). No significant sex differences were observed in social well-being, economic well-being, or development and productivity; however, negative emotional impact differed significantly by sex (χ2 = 6.583, df = 1, p = 0.010, ε2 = 0.112), with higher scores among women in this sample. The findings identify statistically significant associations and group differences but do not establish causal effects. They highlight the relevance of social, institutional, economic, and emotional conditions for understanding researchers’ quality of life and the sustainability of scientific careers in Paraguay.