Aim: The aim of the present study is to determine the relationship between social support and self-esteem of young people raised by single parents in comparison with their peers raised in complete families. Method: The methods which have been used is diagnostic survey including two techniques – The Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in Polish adaptation of I. Dzwonkowska, K. Lachowicz-Tabaczek and M. Łaguna. Results: The results of the conducted research showed the difference between young persons raised by single parents and those raised by both parents in terms of intensity of social support and self-esteem. It turned out that the support received by young people from incomplete families is significantly lower compared to those perceived by young people from complete families. In addition, the obtained results show that adolescents from single-parent families have considerably lower self-esteem than adolescents from complete families. Conclusions: Difficult life situations such as lack of one of the parents can lead to a decrease in the level of self-esteem of youngsters. For this reason it is important that they have a support network, that is, people from their closest environment who help them to build a positive self-image as they create conditions which allow them to overcome stressors and satisfy the need for security.