The relationships that children have with significant others influences the perceptions that they hold of themselves. This study examined the relationship between closeness to significant others and self-esteem. Children (n=142) in grades 4-6 responded to statements concerning self-esteem and were asked to rate how close they felt to mother, father, two closest friends, and to their teacher. Results indicated a significant difference between closeness to mother and closeness to father in favor of the mother. While correlational analyses indicated significant relationships between closeness to significant others and self-esteem, closeness to a particular significant other was critical. Although subjects reported high rates of closeness to both mother and father, closeness to mother was the more significant predictor of children's self-esteem for both boys and girls. Closeness to teachers was found to be related to self-esteem but more so for girls than boys. Overall, the study suggested that the children's self-esteem was related to (in order of importance) closeness to mother, peers, teacher, and father. However, regression results indicated that closeness to mother and teacher were predictive of self-esteem for girls while only closeness to mother was predictive of boy's self-esteem. (Contains 11 references.) (RJM)