biostudies-literatureFaur SEuropean Social FundNICHD NIH HHSNational Institute of Child Health and Human Development560-566https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10922349biostudies-literatureUnknown60(3)The present study examines perceptions of relationship quality as antecedents of best friendship dissolution. Participants included 230 students in Florida (United States; 54.3% girls; ages = 8-13; 39.6% European American, 27.0% Hispanic American, 21.7% African American, and 2.6% Asian American) and 496 students in Lithuania (49.0% girls; ages = 8-14; 358 boys; nearly all ethnic Lithuanian) attending public schools in Florida (United States) and Lithuania. Reciprocated best friends were identified from friend nominations midway through the school year, at which time each partner described perceptions of social support and negativity in the relationship. Of the 363 reciprocated friend dyads, 26.2% (<i>n</i> = 95) were no longer friends 1-3 months later. Dyadic analyses were conducted with iDevelopmental psychologyPerceptions of relationship quality that predict friendship dissolution during childhood and adolescence: Social support matters more than negativity.PMC1092234909.3.3-LMT-K-712-17-0009HD096457R15 HD096457Leggett-James MPZukauskiene RLaursen BFaur SKaniusonyte GfalsePerceptions of relationship quality that predict friendship dissolution during childhood and adolescence: Social support matters more than negativity.The present study examines perceptions of relationship quality as antecedents of best friendship dissolution. Participants included 230 students in Florida (United States; 54.3% girls; ages = 8-13; 39.6% European American, 27.0% Hispanic American, 21.7% African American, and 2.6% Asian American) and 496 students in Lithuania (49.0% girls; ages = 8-14; 358 boys; nearly all ethnic Lithuanian) attending public schools in Florida (United States) and Lithuania. Reciprocated best friends were identified from friend nominations midway through the school year, at which time each partner described perceptions of social support and negativity in the relationship. Of the 363 reciprocated friend dyads, 26.2% (<i>n</i> = 95) were no longer friends 1-3 months later. Dyadic analyses were conducted with i2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar2025-04-03T23:14:07.223Z2025-04-03T23:14:07.223ZS-EPMC109223493795603410.1037/dev0001676