The cumulative effect of positive school climate on the association with suicidal ideation among adolescents: A two-wave longitudinal study.

The relationship between a positive school climate and adolescent suicidal ideation has been well established. However, there is limited research focusing on the distinct dimensions of a positive school climate and their cumulative protective impact on suicidal ideation. This study aimed to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between a positive school climate and adolescents' suicidal ideation using the cumulative protection model and to examine the potential moderation role of sex. A total of 11,960 junior school students engaged in two surveys conducted 6 months apart (Time 1 [T1] and Time 2 [T2]). A positive school climate, depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed at T1. Suicidal ideation was measured at both T1 and T2. Each dimension of a positive school climate was coded into a dichotomous variable. The Cumulative Protection Index of School Climate was calculated by summing the scores across all dimensions of a positive school climate. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to elucidate the associations between the Cumulative Protection Index of School Climate and suicidal ideation at T1 and T2. The cumulative effect of a positive school climate on adolescents' concurrent and subsequent suicidal ideation was significant and showed a nonlinear pattern of quadratic function. Sex only moderated the concurrent association. This research provides insights into the correlation between the number of protective factors in the school climate and suicidal ideation among adolescents. Enhancing students' perception of a positive school climate would be helpful to mitigate the experience of suicidal ideation among adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).