To explore the association between school climate and suicide behavior among primary and secondary school students, so as to provide recommendations for preventing student suicide in schools.

From June to July 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to conduct a questionnaire survey on suicidal behavior and school climate among 8 722 students from 36 schools in Lüliang, Linfen, and Datong cities, Shanxi Province. The relationship between school climate and suicidal behavior was analyzed using Chi-square test and binary Logistic regression, supplemented by gender heterogeneity and interaction analyses.

The prevalence of suicidal behavior among students in Shanxi Province was 11.1%. After adjusting for age, gender, educational stage, parents' educational level, residential status, family economic condition, parents' marital status and depressive symptoms, binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that peer relationships (OR=0.72, 95%CI=0.57-0.91), peer trust (OR=0.73, 95%CI=0.58-0.92), teacher support (OR=0.66, 95%CI=0.53-0.82), school safety (OR=0.61, 95%CI=0.48-0.78), having more than six friends (OR=0.64, 95%CI=0.43-0.98), and school belongingness (OR=0.70, 95%CI=0.56-0.88) among primary and secondary school students were associated with a lower risk of suicidal behavior (all P < 0.05). Students who experienced school bullying showed a higher risk of suicidal behavior (OR=2.95, 95%CI=1.80-4.82, P < 0.05). Gender-specific analysis revealed that peer relationships (OR=0.67, 95%CI=0.48-0.92), peer trust (OR=0.66, 95%CI=0.49-0.90), and school belongingness (OR=0.62, 95%CI=0.45-0.84) were associated with a lower risk of suicidal behavior suicide behavior in girls; teacher support (OR=0.50, 95%CI=0.36-0.70) and having more than six friends (OR=0.51, 95%CI=0.27-0.96) were associated with a lower risk of suicidal behavior in boys, who experienced school bullying showed a higher risk of suicidal behavior (OR=4.19, 95%CI=2.18-8.03) (all P < 0.05). Interactive analysis revealed that the dual interaction between peer support and school safety could reduced the risk of suicide behavior among primary and secondary school students safety (OR=0.83, 95%CI=0.70-0.99, P < 0.05).

School climate is closely associated with suicidal behavior among primary and secondary school students in Shanxi Province, with gender differences present. Schools should foster a positive school environment to prevent student suicide behaviors.