Interestingly, findings from a cross-sectional study by La Greca and Lopez (1998) seem to contradict this model. The population was an ethnically mixed sample of 250 high school students (3:2 female-male ratio), who came from a predominantly middle-class background. Females rated higher on scores of social anxiety, which may have the potential to interfere with peer relationships. The study showed that higher levels of social anxiety were associated with fewer and less intimate best friend relationships and could lead to fewer opportunities for socialization experiences or impaired social functioning (La Greca & Lopez, 1998).