A CROSS-CULTURAL EXPLORATION OF THE STABILITY OF CHILDRENS FRIENDSHIPS AND THE PREDICTORS OF THEIR CONTINUATION

The purpose of this study was to explore cultural differences in child ren's perceptions of friendship quality and in the predictors of the s ubsequent continuation of their relationships. Participants were third - and fourth-grade children in Florence, Italy, and Toronto, Canada. A total of 184 dyads of children who indicated that they were friends n ear the beginning of the school year completed questionnaires regardin g the quality of their relationships. Among the Italian children, espe cially the girls, a higher proportion of friendships remained intact a t the end of the school year than among the Canadians. Positive aspect s of relationship quality at the first data collection point were asso ciated with future friendship status, but earlier conflict within the dyad was unrelated to the continuation of friendship. The levels of co nflict reported by the children were lower in the Italian sample than in Canada.